General
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Cross Street Medical Clinic offers the latest influenza vaccinations, rapid screening test and treatment. Speak to our doctors today about what you may need to protect you and your loved ones from influenza. Female doctors are available by appointment
Medisave may be used to pay for influenza vaccination for recommended groups.
What is Influenza?
The common cold (cold) is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The most common cause is a rhinovirus (30–80%), but up to 200 different viruses may cause the cold.
Cold symptoms include: body aches, headache, dry cough, runny nose and sore or dry throat.
Influenza viruses account for 10–15% of colds.
Infection with influenza virus is also called influenza (flu).
Flu symptoms may be mild to severe and associated with high fever, fatigue and persistent cough, lasting more than 2 weeks. In children, gastrointestinal symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Influenza is associated with a higher risk of complications, which may include:
- viral pneumonia
- secondary bacterial pneumonia
- sinus infections
- Worsening of chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart failure
How do we contract Influenza?
Influenza is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
How to prevent Influenza (Influenza vaccination)?
There are three main classes of influenza (A, B and C).
Vaccines are produced every 6 months (northern and southern hemisphere) to prevent infection from the most common subtypes occurring in the last 6 months.
The latest influenza vaccine offers protection against the most recent influenza viruses.
Cross Street Medical has the latest influenza vaccines. Speak to our doctors today about protecting you and your loved ones from influenza. Female doctors are available by appointment.
Medisave may be used to pay for influenza vaccination for recommended groups.
- Persons aged 65 years or older
- Young children (aged 6 to 59 months)
- Pregnant women (all stages)
- Persons with chronic medical diseases (including cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, neurologic, hepatic, or haematologic disorders)
- Persons who are immunosuppressed
- Anyone staying in intermediate or long-term care facilities to reduce the risk of influenza transmission
The ECI also recommends that all healthcare workers and staff in healthcare institutions receive seasonal influenza vaccination to reduce the risk of influenza transmission between healthcare workers and patients, and to protect vulnerable individuals in the recommended groups.
Testing for Influenza
Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are screening tests for influenza virus infection (e.g., SD Bioline Influenza Ultra). The test is carried out at the clinic and test results are available in about 15 minutes.
A flu test can diagnose influenza. Our doctors can offer effective influenza treatment with antiviral medication.
Cross Street Medical offers rapid screening tests for influenza. Speak to our doctors today about being tested for influenza. Female doctors are available by appointment.
Advantage of screening for Influenza
When proper treatment for influenza (i.e., antivirals) is prescribed at the beginning of the flu infection, it helps decrease the severity and duration of flu symptoms.
These medications are most effective when given within 48 hours after symptoms appear.
What is the treatment for Influenza?
Antivirals (e.g., Tamiflu) are medications that reduce the ability of flu viruses to multiply.
Antivirals are most effective when given within 48 hours after symptoms appear.
Cross Street Medical offers treatment for influenza. Make an appointment with or visit our doctors as soon as flu symptoms appear. Female doctors are available by appointment.