Flu season is upon us

WE all know when it's coming.

We put on our extra layers of clothing and sit quietly, waiting for it to hit.

Flu season - it's the time of year everyone dreads, when the colds and flus spread like wildfire.

Local chemist Naomi Bath said her Biloela Discount Chemist staff had been run off their feet tending to the sick.

"The last week has definitely been a little quieter than those first two weeks in August and end of July," she said.

Naomi said it was important that people knew the difference between a cold and the flu.

"The flu is an influenza and that's when you get body aches and pains; you get full body symptoms and it only usually lasts for two to four days.

"Yet the common cold is more when it is in your sinuses, runny nose, nasal congestion but you don't normally have the aches and pains and fevers.

"I would say the influenza has probably been worse (this season), because children and adults have both had fevers.

Naomi said there were simple steps people could take to help prevent becoming sick.

"People need to keep hydrated and rest," she said. "You also need to make sure you are getting enough sleep, otherwise you will get run down.

"The other thing is hygiene so when you cough, cover your mouth and also use some alcohol spray to prevent germs from spreading.

"If you just have symptoms of the common cold or influenza, you need to treat the fever with Panadol and Neurofen and symptom relief," Naomi said.

"Cold and flu tablets aren't actually going to treat it, they just make you feel better."

"Unless there is some sort of bacterial infection like a sore throat or sinus infection, you don't need to go to the doctor necessarily."