Dr Kerryn Phelps, Channel 9 Today Show Health Editor

PHELPS: Good morning, Tracey.

GRIMSHAW: Time for our annual flu check. Is there a particular bout that's going around this year, or is it the same old common flu?

PHELPS: Well, there is a different group of flu viruses … and, certainly, this year is no exception and the flu vaccine that is around this year is going to protect you against three different ones: A-Moscow, A-New Caledonia, and B-Sichuan flu. So, those are the ones we haven't seen before but are likely to come around.

GRIMSHAW: The flu's already around, everyone knows someone who's got it. Is it too late to have the shot, then?

PHELPS: No. Well, it's the first week of winter, so if you missed out in autumn, now is the ideal time to get in and have your flu vaccine, particularly if you're in a high risk. And I would mention to people who have asthma - adults and children - that you are in a risk group, and it's going to be a bad time of the year, and people with asthma should get along and have their flu vaccine. Similarly, people who are over 65, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are over 50, they can go and have their flu vaccines free of charge and so there's no excuses, if you're over 65, to get along and have that flu shot done. And, also, people with chronic illnesses like kidney disease and heart disease.

GRIMSHAW: Every year we talk about those people, as we see on the screen now, who should have the flu shot. Is there anyone who shouldn't have it?

PHELPS: There are people who should not have the flu vaccine and those are people who have a hypersensitivity, that is, their lips and their tongue swell up and they can't breath if they eat eggs or if they're in contact with chicken feathers, because there is some egg involved in the production of the flu vaccine. Other people who should delay it, if you have a high temperature, and you're unwell, if you've got a minor illness like, you know, a bit of a cold, then you can still have the flu shot, but not if you've got a high temperature.

GRIMSHAW: Alright. Let's talk about antibiotics, because they've been on the agenda lately, haven't they? I mean, should we simply be educating ourselves, disciplining ourselves, if you like, not to expect to go to the doctor and get a magic pill when we've got the flu?

PHELPS: Well, I think the whole issue of antibiotics is a very topical one at the moment, because there is some suggestion that too many antibiotics are being used, and that may be the case. But it is sometimes a very difficult judgement call to say when somebody does and does not need an antibiotic, particularly if they're quite sick with what appears to be a virus but you're not 100 per cent sure. So, I guess, the thing is, you see your doctor if you have symptoms that are not going away, if you have a fever that's not resolving, if you're coughing up coloured mucus, if you've got sinus pain and ear ache, if there's blood in what you're coughing up - these are the sorts of reasons to see your doctor. If you've got aches and pains all over, you might need to have some advice about how to manage flu, because we can actually give something for influenza now, which isn't an antibiotic. And if you've got a child, for example, who is complaining of headaches, if they're …… and looking pale and sick, or if they're complaining of pain, these are the sorts of things where you would need to get to your doctor. As far as whether antibiotics are prescribed, you know, that can be a difficult call. And, I think, if the doctor says, 'look, I really think this is viable, and we can watch things for 24-hours and see how we go', then I think it's actually worth waiting and just trying to manage the symptoms.

GRIMSHAW: Alright. What if you're not eligible for anitbiotics? What about if you just have a plain old, well, cold? What do you do?

PHELPS: Well, you can still feel pretty miserable with a cold. So, it's a matter of trying to relieve the symptoms, knowing that antibiotics are not going to cure it. So, there's a lot of things you can do. Drinking fluids - very important. Getting plenty of rest. Now, a lot of people think that they have to just soldier on, go to work and spread their cold with all of their friends - not a good idea.

GRIMSHAW: Good point.

PHELPS: It's much better to keep it all to yourself, at home, and there's other ways that, of course, you can make yourself feel better. The old, sort of, hot lemon and honey drink, for example. I mean, the way to do this is just to get half a lemon, squeeze the fresh juice into a mug, add in a generous helping of fresh honey and then put…

GRIMSHAW: … like a tablespoonful, or something?

PHELPS: A heaped tablespoon, and then put some boiling water over it, mix it around - fantastic, delicious - and it will actually make your sore throat feel better. So, that's very helpful. Inhaling steam with a little bit of Vicks can also help to clear up your nose, clear up your sinuses. And, of course, paracetamol or aspirin for the aches and pains.

GRIMSHAW: Our Executive Producer swore yesterday at the production meeting that he puts Vicks Vaporub on his feet when he has a cold. Is there any medical basis for that, or is he just a weirdo?

PHELPS: He probably just likes having his feet massaged, and that's okay, too.

GRIMSHAW: So there's no medical basis for that?

PHELPS: I'd have to search the literature and find something.

GRIMSHAW: You can give treatment for flu, now? Very, very quickly, because we're running out of time. You can give something?

PHELPS: Yes. There are some antiviral flu type of remedies that are available, one that can be inhaled, and there are some tablets, as well. So, if people are in a risk group and they're suffering with the flu, as long as you get hold of it early, it can actually minimise the symptoms.

GRIMSHAW: Alright. That's great. Thanks, Kerryn.

PHELPS: Thank you.

LIEBMANN: And, that's our Health Editor, Dr Kerryn Phelps. Our Executive Producer also puts in a big swag of rum with the lemon juice and water, and swears that fixes him quickly, too.

Ends