Flu can spread quickly when large numbers of people are in close contact, such as at school, childcare centres, university, sport and social events.
Simple steps can help you and your family stop the spread of flu.
Get a flu shot now, especially if you're in a high risk group or live with someone who is.
Vaccinations are available from your general practitioner, some local pharmacies or Aboriginal Medical Service. We recommend you call ahead to make sure your practice is vaccinating on the day you want to visit.
All NSW children aged from six months to under five years of age are eligible for free influenza shots. For further information, read more about this immunisation initiative or refer to the review of the scientific evidence around influenza vaccination for young children.
Keep sick children away from school and other activities.
If you are sick with flu, stay at home and avoid close contact with other people to prevent them from also becoming sick.
This is especially important if you visit people who are more likely to get really sick if they get the flu - including pregnant women, infants, older people or people in hospital or residential aged care.
See the influenza fact sheet on how you can manage flu this winter or Influenza - If your child is sick for advice on what to do if your child gets sick.
Sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands can help stop the spread of flu. Did you know a sneeze can travel 1-2 metres and a single sneeze droplet may contain 200,000,000 individual virus particles?
Regularly wash your hands with soap for at least 10 seconds or use a hand sanitiser - a flu virus can survive on unwashed hands for at least 30 minutes and up to two days on other surfaces.
Join FluTracking to help track flu near you and across Australia in collaboration with over 20,000 other FluTrackers. It only takes 10 seconds per week and you receive a weekly report and map of flu activity.
FluTracking is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and operated by the University of Newcastle.
Fact sheet: Information for children on oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Poster: Flu in kids can be serious
Poster: Flu and COVID-19 are serious illnesses, even in children and teenagers