By: Danielle Dobson

Influenza A, it’s spreading around the upper highway like wildfire now. The hospital is full of it and our team were a few men down because of it. Having experienced it myself I can sympathise with anyone who is sick now. I felt truly awful, and the symptoms can linger for quite a few weeks. I felt worse than when I had Covid, the most terrible sinus pain, body aches and fevers. But when we are sick what should we look out for and what should we do at home?

Influenza A is highly contagious and caused by the influenza A virus. It affects people of all ages and can lead to serious complications, especially in high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and those with certain health conditions.

But how is it spread? It is primarily spread through the air when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes, releasing droplets that contain the virus. The virus can also survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours and can be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s face. People with influenza A are contagious from one day before symptoms appear to five to seven days after becoming sick.

The symptoms to expect are a sudden onset of fever (usually high), chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, muscle or body aches, diarrhoea and vomiting (more common in children). 

Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, get plenty of rest, make sure you frequently wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth when coughing and avoid close contact with others. If your symptoms worsen or last longer when expected, if you experience difficulty breathing, if you have a fever that lasts more than 3 days or if you are at a higher risk for complications, please seek medical help 

As physiotherapists we do play a role in your recovery. We do manual techniques like percussions and vibrations to help loosen your chest and encourage deep breathing. This is especially important if your symptoms last for a long period of time.