Busy emergency departments are facing increasing demand as we hit the peak of the winter flu season. 

In an emergency, you should always call 000. However, for less urgent cases people are encouraged to visit their local GP, talk to a pharmacist or call Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

Nurse-On-Call is available 24 hours a day and Victoria now also has 12 Supercare Pharmacies that are open round-the-clock.

The flu season started earlier this year. So far in 2017, there have been more than 10,000 confirmed cases of influenza across Victoria, with many more notifications still expected.

Meanwhile, flu outbreaks, particularly in aged care facilities, are at very high levels. There have been 177 respiratory outbreaks notified this year compared to 77 for the same period last year.

High-risk groups include the elderly, infants, those with chronic conditions such as heart or lung disease, renal failure, diabetes and chronic neurological conditions, the immuno-compromised, pregnant women, smokers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The flu is a highly contagious viral infection, spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes.

The most common symptoms of the flu are sudden high fever, a dry cough, body aches, and feeling very tired and weak. 

Infections in children may also be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Croup is a common presentation in children.

Most symptoms resolve within seven days, although the cough may persist for longer.

Complications of influenza include middle ear infections, secondary bacterial pneumonia and worsening of underlying chronic health conditions.

Most otherwise healthy adults will be able to infect other people up to seven days after becoming sick.

Therefore, anyone sick with the flu should avoid visiting loved ones in aged care or in hospital, as it can spread quickly and be very serious for people most at risk such as the elderly.” 

Better hand washing is another important way to reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as the flu.

It is also important to practice good cough etiquette at all times. This includes covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and disposing of tissues immediately. 

Vaccination is also vital in stopping the spread of influenza. With about two months of the flu season to go, it is still not too late to get your flu shot.

The Influenza vaccine is available from GPs and also from pharmacists who are qualified and trained to give immunisations.

For more information visit the Better Health Channel at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/flu-influenza

Professor Charles Guest, chief health officer, Victoria

THE need to help people who choose to take drugs is increasing.

In March, the independent Crime Statistics Agency released the latest crime figures for the year just gone.

It showed drug use and possession in Geelong went up by 38 per cent and by 166.7 per cent in north Geelong where drug dealing increased by 33 per cent.  In Geelong West, drug use increased by 33 per cent.

I wish we didn’t have this problem given the decision to take drugs is a choice.

Saying no to drugs enables that person, their family and their community to be their best.

Saying yes will achieve the opposite. It’s not cool.  

But for those that say yes, many wish they had said no. We have to help these people.

Providing that help through detoxification facilities is currently limited because private facilities do not attract state government funding.

It chooses not to fund private services until national standards and accreditation are in place.

That may be fair enough given we expect national health standards of all our hospitals and care facilities.

As such, I have written to the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, urging his support to establish a National Standard and Accreditation system for private drug rehabilitation facilities.

I have also urged the Victorian Government to invest more into rehab provision – and it has – to government services.

However, despite the current lack of national regulation, the state also needs to fund private rehabilitation beds. In this instance, waiting for regulation is only making the problem worse.

Funding private services such as Foundation 61 at Mt Duneed will make available so many more opportunities to help.  

Unfortunately, the need is urgent.

Simon Ramsay, Member for Western Victoria