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If You Can Score More Than 7/10 On This Flu Quiz You're Probably A Doctor

It's that time of year when most of our Instagram feed is in Europe in bikinis and we're here wearing skivvies. It's also the time when flu season hits and many of us will be living our lives with an added sniffle. Before you write it off with a "she'll be right," ask yourself: How much do I even know about the flu? Answer these 10 questions to see if you can separate the flu facts from the myths.

In 2017, there were over 250,000 confirmed cases of influenza Australia-wide, with over 28,100 of them occurring in South Australia.

It happens hundreds of thousands of times a year.

If not treated properly, influenza can have some pretty nasty consequences. It is a highly contagious disease with potentially severe complications, including hospitalisation, pneumonia, and death. Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions also have an increased risk.

It can be kind of a big deal.

Hygiene plays a huge role in preventing diseases like the flu. With hands spreading 80% of common infectious diseases, keep germs at bay by washing them frequently. Also consider getting this year's flu vaccination to help prevent coming down with the nasties.

There are a few things you can do to try to stay flu-free this winter.

There's not much you can actually do to prevent getting the flu.

On average, influenza causes approximately 3,500 deaths in Australia each year. In 2017 in South Australia alone, 124 people died from influenza. The state also had the highest per capita rate of the infection.

It's actually a lot higher than 100...

In Australia, more than 100 people died from the flu in 2017.

While over 92% of influenza deaths in South Australia in 2017 were people aged 65+, there were a small number of children and young adults – including parents – who died from the flu.

In 2017, 2.7% of influenza deaths in South Australia were people aged 30–44.

Children are about twice as likely to contract influenza than adults in any given season, with up to 70% of children contracting the virus during pandemic years.

Yes, kids are more susceptible to catching the flu.

Kids are more likely to get the flu than adults.

Children under 5 years of age are more likely to suffer serious consequences of influenza. Of the 250,012 confirmed cases of influenza in 2017, 10% were children aged under 5 years (25,345 people) and 20% were children aged under 10 years (52,111 people). Each year, approximately 1,500 children are admitted to hospital for influenza. If you're a parent to young children, watch out for symptoms of the flu and see your GP as soon as possible.

The younger the child, the worse the consequences.

Young children are more likely to  
suffer serious consequences of the flu.

Influenza is an airborne disease, so if someone with the flu speaks, coughs, or even just _breathes_ near you, you could get the virus, too.

Brb, just holding our breath.

You can contract the flu by breathing the same air as someone who is already infected.

This is especially true for stainless-steel surfaces, on which influenza A can survive for 24 hours. You'll also want to be careful of using cash during winter, with influenza A lasting up to three days on bank notes.

Under the right environmental conditions, the influenza A strand can last for a while outside of the human body.

The influenza virus can survive for 24 hours outside the body.

You are more likely to come down with the flu if you are in a service-based job, especially if you work in a communal environment or are in contact with other people regularly. Health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, as well as office workers have a higher chance of contracting influenza than people in other professions.

Yes, your job could be making you sick...literally

Your job might mean you're more likely to catch the flu than other people.

There are a lot of myths flying around about the flu, and you've probably heard a few of them. You should probably read up on influenza on [SA Health](https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/flu) so you can do your best to stay healthy this flu season.

You don't actually know that much about the flu...

While you know a little bit about the flu, some of the facts may have surprised you. Read up on influenza on [SA Health](https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/flu) so you can do your best to stay healthy this flu season.

Not bad! You know a little bit about the flu.

Well done, brainiac! You aced this quiz. Even though you already know a lot about the flu, you should still read up on influenza on [SA Health](https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/flu) so you can do your best to stay healthy this flu season.

Awesome! You really know your stuff!

All facts used in this post were provided by <a href="http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/" target="_blank">SA Health</a>.

All images via iStock.

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If You Can Score More Than 7/10 On This Flu Quiz You're Probably A Doctor

Winter Is Coming. Prepare the tissues.

Even if you know a little bit about the flu, some of the facts might have surprised you. Read up on influenza on SA Health's Winter Wellness hub so you can do your best to stay healthy this flu season.

If You Can Score More Than 7/10 On This Flu Quiz You're Probably A Doctor

Winter Is Coming. Prepare the tissues.

Even if you know a little bit about the flu, some of the facts might have surprised you. Read up on influenza on SA Health's Winter Wellness hub so you can do your best to stay healthy this flu season.

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