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Information about flu for Tasmanian Aborigines

What is Human Swine Flu?

Human swine flu is a new virus - its proper name is pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza. It causes illness like the normal flu and spreads the same way. Because it’s new, the normal flu vaccine doesn’t work to stop swine flu.

Flu usually causes fever with a cough and sore throat. It often causes chills, body aches, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea.

Both human swine flu and normal flu are making people sick now. Most people who get the flu won't get too sick and will get better after a few days, but some people will get very sick. Some people will need to go to hospital, and occasionally people will die.

Are Aboriginal people more likely to get very sick from flu?

Many Aboriginal people also have other health problems, like asthma or diabetes. Because of these other problems, they are more likely to get very sick. The most common health problems that make people more likely to get very sick are:

chronic breathing problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma severe enough to need daily preventative medication
being very overweight
diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease
weakened immune system (because of cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS or medications)
chronic neurological conditions.

Pregnant women are also at higher risk, especially in the middle and later months of pregnancy.

What to do if you get sick

If you have any of the risk factors for severe illness, see a doctor as soon as you can if you get sick with a fever plus a cough and/or sore throat. You may be offered antiviral treatment to help you get better quickly, but this must be started within 2 days of the start of illness for it to work properly. Phone 1800 358 362 (1800 FLU DOC), your local doctor or Aboriginal Health Service.

If you live in a remote community, get sick and have other health problems, discuss with your doctor or health service whether it would be good for you to move closer to the city while you are sick, in case you get worse quickly.

Even if you’re not aware of having any of the risk factors, if you get sick with flu symptoms and are worried about how sick you are, seek medical advice.

Seek urgent medical care if:

you have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or chest pain
you have severe or persistent vomiting, and can’t keep water down
you have a high fever that lasts for more than three days, particularly if your other symptoms are getting worse
you become less alert, drowsy, or confused
your child is sick and has difficulty waking up or is not as alert as usual.

Is there a vaccine that will help?

At the moment, there is no vaccine for Human Swine Flu, but it is still very important to have the normal flu vaccine, as people are still getting sick from normal flu too. The normal flu and pneumococcal vaccines are free for Aboriginal people who have health problems, or who are over 50 years old.

Don't pass it on . . . help protect people in your community.