Flu Complications
Most people recover from the flu within a week, but the season can be unpredictable — and a bit of early preparation goes a long way for your team. Booking an on-site clinic before things turn is the simplest safeguard. Corporate Care runs workplace flu programs for your employees, on your sites, across Australia.
Request a QuoteFlu Complications
Most people recover from influenza within a couple of weeks, though it’s rarely a comfortable experience. However, in some cases, the flu leads to complications that require medical attention or hospitalisation.
Who is at higher risk
The Australian Immunisation Handbook identifies several groups that face a higher risk of complications from influenza. These include older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions. The Handbook provides the definitive clinical guidance on which groups are considered at elevated risk and is the reference used by healthcare professionals across Australia.
It’s worth noting that complications can also occur in otherwise healthy individuals, though this is less common. Influenza is unpredictable in that regard.
The case for vaccination
Annual flu vaccination is the primary preventive measure recommended by Australian health authorities. Vaccination reduces the risk of catching influenza and, for those who do become infected, can reduce the severity of illness and the likelihood of complications developing. The Australian Immunisation Handbook outlines the evidence base for vaccination and identifies priority groups.
Relevance to the workplace
Influenza symptoms manifest within one to three days of exposure, and recovery can stretch over two weeks. In a workplace setting, this means one case can lead to multiple absences as the virus spreads through a team. For staff in higher-risk groups, the consequences of workplace exposure can be more serious than simple time off.
Employers have a practical role to play here. Offering onsite flu vaccination makes it easy for staff to get protected without taking time away from work. For those who miss the onsite clinic, pharmacy vouchers provide an alternative through over 2,000 partner pharmacies.
Workplace health obligations are outlined by Safe Work Australia. While flu vaccination is not mandated for most workplaces, providing access to it is a concrete step towards meeting duty-of-care expectations.
Further reading
For a general overview of the illness, see what is influenza. For information on the vaccine itself, including common side effects, visit our flu vaccine side effects page. The Australian Immunisation Handbook remains the authoritative source for clinical information about influenza complications and vaccination recommendations.
To discuss a flu vaccination program for your workplace, request a quote or get in touch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The most common complication is pneumonia, a lung infection that can be caused by the flu virus itself or by a bacterial infection. The flu can also cause bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections, and it can make existing conditions like asthma, heart disease and diabetes worse.
Seek urgent medical care if there is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, a blue tinge to the lips, or sudden confusion. If someone is having trouble breathing, has blue lips or is confused, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. For non-urgent advice, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse.
Yes. Pneumonia is the most common serious complication of the flu. It can be primary viral pneumonia, caused by the flu virus, or secondary bacterial pneumonia, which develops while the body is fighting the infection. Pneumonia is a leading reason the flu can become life-threatening, particularly for people who are already vulnerable.
Yes. While the flu is often mild, it can cause very serious illness even in otherwise healthy people, sometimes requiring hospitalisation. Severe illness can occur in healthy children and younger adults as well as in higher-risk groups, which is why annual vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.
People at higher risk include adults aged 65 and over, children under 5, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease or a weakened immune system. Obesity and smoking also increase the risk of severe flu.
ATAGI recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and over, and the Australian Immunisation Handbook notes that vaccinating older people reduces hospitalisations from influenza and pneumonia. Corporate Care follows these national recommendations. Vaccination is the main way to reduce the chance of severe flu and its complications.
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Corporate Care acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community.