Influenza Resources for Health Professionals
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are three main types of influenza virus that cause infection in humans - types A, B and C - and many sub-types or strains. Influenza can occur throughout the year but usually peaks in winter.
Recommending influenza vaccination for patients and staff is an important preventive action, especially for people at increased risk of complications from influenza infection who are eligible for free vaccine. For more information on influenza vaccine recommendations and how to order free vaccine see the NSW Immunisation Program website.
Please contact your local public health unit to report suspected outbreaks of influenza in high-risk settings, such as special schools and residential care facilities.
Pregnancy: Influenza Information for Antenatal Care providers
Follow this link for updated information on the key messages and measures for flu and pregnancy, links to influenza vaccination advice from RANZCOG and from the Australian Immunisation Handbook (NHMRC), and a link to flu and pregnancy resources for antenatal care providers.
Guidelines for Intensive Care Units
The NSW Health Influenza - Guidelines for the Intensive Care Unit - 2010 (GL2010_007) remains current and provides recommendations for intensive care units regarding testing, treatment and management of patients with influenza-like -illness.
Updates for Specific Groups
- General Practitioners: Influenza Update for General Practitioners 3 April 2012. [PDF, 465K]
- Hospitals and Health Care Services: Influenza Update for Hospitals and Health Care Services - 2012. [PDF, 194K]
Additional Resources
- Winter Flu 2012 Campaign resources for Hospitals and Health Care Facilities
- Testing – Instructions for the collection of nose and throat swabs for influenza testing
- NSW Health Anti-influenza medications (neuraminidase inhibitors) information
- NSW Health Influenza prevention campaign poster – “The Spread of Flu is up to You”
- NSW Health Infection Control policy (PD2007_036) and Hand Hygiene policy (PD2010_058)
- NSW Health Infection Control resources (PPE advice, posters, facility entrance signage)
- Immunisation Handbook (9th Edition, 2008. NHMRC) – Influenza chapter
- Immunise Australia – Influenza immunisation resources
- Residential Care Facilities – A Practical Guide to assist in the Prevention and Management of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities
- NSW Health Public Health Unit Influenza Control Guidelines