 what should you know about flu  what should you know about flu healthy mon 3082021 908 flu symptoms are worse than a common cold 13 flu symptoms are usually more intense than a cold and include a runny nose or sneezing cough or sore throat fever and chills headache body aches vomiting and diarrhoea which is more common in children 3 body ache headache sore throat fever fatigue cough most flu symptoms last up to a week but coughing can continue for up to two weeks or more 4 flu can be very serious 5 while most people have fairly mild flu symptoms for some people flu is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalisation and sometimes even death 15 it can cause bronchitis croup pneumonia ear infections heart and other organ damage brain inflammation and brain damage 1 163000 cases of flu were detected in australia each year between 2015 and 2020 6 1500000 workdays are estimated to be lost each year to flu and its associated complications 7 who is at most risk 18 some people are at greater risk of flu and its complications including children aged 6 months to under 5 years and adults over 65 years of age 19 people with a comorbidity may have up to 25x increased risk of death from flu 8 flu is not the same as a common cold  flu symptoms tend to be more intense it is very difficult to distinguish between the symptoms of covid19 influenza and a cold if you have any infectious or respiratory symptoms selfisolate yourself follow your state or territory guidelines about covid19 testing and contact your healthcare professional for further advice   