Monash Health in the Media: protecting our community against flu

Monash Health’s team of experts spoke to media over the weekend to deliver important messages about this year’s flu season to the community.

Professor Rhonda Stuart, Dr Jeremy Carr and Professor Allen Cheng shared their expertise on why Influenza B cases are spiking among children and how we can protect ourselves and loved ones from this virus.

Professor Rhonda Stuart, Director of Infection Prevention and Director of South East Public Health Unit, shared her insights with 7News about a winter flu surge in children and how flu can affect children differently than adults.

Professor Stuart also appeared on Sunrise to further reiterate this message, calling for everybody in the community to get their flu vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones this flu season.

Dr Jeremy Carr, Head of Infection and Immunity at Monash Children’s Hospital, spoke to The Age about the rising number of flu admissions we are seeing at Monash Children’s Hospital, with 200 children admitted to our hospital last month.

Dr Carr also appeared on the Today Show and shared a message with parents about the signs of severe flu infection in children and when to seek help.

Professor Allen Cheng, Director of Infectious Diseases, continued in demonstrating Monash Health’s expertise in flu and provided expert advice to the ABC, explaining the use of antivirals in treating flu infections and how this treatment can differ from adults to children.