We are well into winter on the Gold Coast now, and while our cooler months are milder than in much of Australia, Hope Island households still feel the effects. Coughs, colds, sore throats and the flu are doing the rounds through workplaces, schools and family homes, and many people are already nursing a bug or trying to avoid the next one. For most of us these illnesses are uncomfortable rather than serious, and they clear up on their own. The useful part is knowing how to look after yourself for the rest of the season, how to lower your chances of getting sick, and when a winter illness is a sign you should see your GP. This guide covers all three.
There is a common myth that cold weather itself makes you sick. In reality, it is the viruses that thrive in winter, and our behaviour during the cooler months, that do most of the work. When the weather cools, people spend more time indoors and closer together, which makes it easier for respiratory viruses to spread from person to person. Children often bring bugs home from school and childcare, and busy winter schedules can leave us run down and short on sleep, which does not help our immune defences. Add in drier indoor air and less time outdoors, and it is easy to see why the colder months bring a rise in colds, influenza and other respiratory infections across the northern Gold Coast.
A few everyday habits make a real difference to your chances of staying healthy:
Influenza is not just a heavy cold. For some people it can lead to serious complications, which is why an annual flu vaccination is recommended for many Australians. The flu vaccine is updated each year to match the strains expected to circulate, so last year’s protection does not carry over. Under the National Immunisation Program, the flu vaccine is free for groups at higher risk, including children aged six months to under five years, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with certain medical conditions.
Even if you are not in a funded group, vaccination is still available and worth discussing with your GP. Vaccination earlier in the season offers the best lead time for protection, but if you have not had your flu vaccine yet, it can still be worthwhile while influenza is circulating, so it is not too late to ask. Our clinic offers vaccinations and can let you know whether you are eligible for a free flu vaccine. You can read more on our vaccinations page.
Colds, influenza and COVID-19 share many symptoms, which can make it hard to know what you are dealing with. As a general guide, a cold tends to come on gradually with a runny nose, sneezing and a mild sore throat, and you can usually carry on with most daily activities. Influenza often arrives more suddenly and hits harder, with fever, body aches, exhaustion and a cough that can leave you needing to rest in bed. COVID-19 symptoms vary widely and can overlap with both. Because the three can be difficult to distinguish by symptoms alone, testing can help, and it is sensible to follow current public health advice on staying home and testing when you are unwell. Reliable, up to date symptom information is available through healthdirect, the government funded health advice service.
Winter illness affects some people more than others, and it is worth paying extra attention to the more vulnerable members of your household. Older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and people living with chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system are more likely to become seriously unwell from influenza and other respiratory infections. For these groups, an illness that would be a minor nuisance for a healthy adult can occasionally develop into something that needs medical care.
If you care for someone in one of these groups, staying on top of vaccinations, keeping regular medicines well stocked, and acting early when symptoms appear all help. It is also sensible to keep chronic conditions well managed through winter, since a flare up of asthma or another long term condition can be triggered by a simple cold. If you are not sure whether a winter illness needs attention in someone who is more vulnerable, it is always reasonable to check with your GP sooner rather than later.
Most winter illnesses can be managed at home with rest, fluids and time. However, some situations warrant a visit to your GP. Consider booking an appointment if you experience a high fever that does not settle, a cough that lasts more than a couple of weeks, symptoms that improve and then suddenly get worse, or if you simply are not recovering as you would expect. Babies, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes should seek advice sooner rather than later, as they can be more vulnerable to complications.
If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to check. For suitable concerns, our clinic also offers telehealth appointments, so you can speak with a GP without leaving home when that is the safer or more convenient option. If you or someone with you has severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, bluish lips, or becomes confused or very drowsy, this is a medical emergency, so call 000 straight away.
A little preparation goes a long way in winter. Whether you would like a flu vaccination, want to check whether a lingering cough needs attention, or need care for the whole family, our team is here to help. Marketplace Medical & Skin Clinic is located at 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island QLD 4212, serving Hope Island and the surrounding northern Gold Coast, including Sanctuary Cove, Paradise Point, Helensvale, Coomera and Runaway Bay. Book online any time or call our reception team on 07 5510 9222.
