Can you get influenza twice in a month? A GP’s take!

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice or diagnosis. If you have health concerns, consult an AHPRA-registered telehealth doctor or request a medical certificate online if clinically appropriate. Please note: Hola Health does not currently offer Mental Health Care Plans.

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Overview

Technically, yes.  While your body does build up immunity to the specific strain of flu you’ve just battled, there’s more than one strain circulating at any given time.  

It’s that time of year again when sniffles turn into sneezes, and a tickle in your throat becomes a full-blown cough.  Flu season is upon us, and with it comes a whole host of questions. One that often pops up, especially when you’re feeling particularly under the weather, is: can you actually get the flu twice in such a short span of time, like a month? The answer, like most things in medicine, isn’t a simple yes or no.  

Understanding flu in Australia

1. Influenza viruses cause flu — these are mainly influenza types A and B. Influenza viruses can change often, which is why new strains appear each year which is Even if you’ve been vaccinated against the flu one year, it will likely not protect you from new strains in the next year.
2. Influenza A can cause bigger outbreaks and pandemics (e.g., H1N1 “swine flu”).
3. Influenza B usually tends to spread later in the winter season, but it can still make people very sick.
4. In Australia, flu season most often tends to peak around the winter months (June–August), although outbreaks can also happen outside of these typical months.
5. Different strains of influenza can often circulate together. For example, sometimes influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B strains may both spread in the same winter.
6. The flu is actually different to COVID-19 and the common cold. COVID-19 tends to cause loss of taste/smell with earlier strains and can be more severe, while colds generally tend to be milder with symptoms of a runny nose and sneezing. But it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference, which is why it is worthwhile to use self-testing kits that can differentiate between the different types of viral fever.

How flu symptoms can come back

• Misdiagnosis – A bad cold, RSV, or another virus might feel like the flu, but it isn’t. Only a test can confirm it, and you can do it conveniently yourself with an over-the-counter multi-test kit found at most pharmacies.
• Lingering symptoms – It’s not uncommon to experience fatigue, cough, and muscle aches that can drag on for weeks after you have the flu, making it feel like you’re “sick again.”
• Secondary infections – Sometimes, after getting the flu, you can develop secondary infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia (chest infection), and these can feel like having a second round of the illness.

Best way to build up immunity against the flu

The flu vaccine is your best bet, but a healthy lifestyle can also give your immune system a boost. This includes:

• Eating a balanced diet: Fuel your body with the nutrients it needs to stay strong.
• Regular exercise: Get your blood pumping and your immune cells moving.
• Plenty of sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Flu prevention in Australia

• Get your annual flu vaccine – It’s updated each year to cover multiple circulating strains. The best time is April–May, before peak winter.
• Hygiene matters – Wash hands often, wear a mask if unwell, and stay home to reduce spread.
• Boost your immune system – Good sleep, healthy food, hydration, and exercise all help your body fight off infections.
• Stress management: Chronic stress can weaken your immune system.

Home remedies for influenza

While there’s no magic cure for the flu, there are things you can do to ease your symptoms and support your body’s fight.  These include:

• Rest: Your body needs all its energy to fight the virus, so give it a break!
• Fluids: Stay hydrated to help flush out toxins and prevent dehydration.
• Over-the-counter relief: Certain medicines can help reduce fever and aches.
• Soothing remedies: Honey and lemon can soothe a sore throat, and a warm bath can help ease muscle aches.

When to see a doctor

See your GP or a telehealth doctor if you have:

1. A fever that won’t settle
2. Difficulty breathing or any chest pain
3. Severe fatigue or weakness
4. A cough that worsens or doesn’t improve
5. Any concerns if you’re pregnant, elderly, or have any chronic health conditions (such as COPD, asthma,)

Doctors or medical practitioners can provide a same-day telehealth consult, medical certificates for work, and prescriptions or referrals if needed, which is especially convenient if you’re too sick to leave home to go to the doctor’s clinic.

How Hola Health may be able to help

Hola Health is an Australian telehealth platform that connects you with registered doctors and nurse practitioners — from the comfort of your home, at a time that suits you. Depending on your situation, a Hola Health clinician may be able to help with:

• 24/7 General medical advice via telehealth doctor consult — talk through symptoms or health concerns with a registered doctor or medical practitioner
• Med cert online — for work or personal leave, when clinically appropriate
• Referrals to specialists – or in-person services when needed
• Instant script online — at a clinician’s discretion and where clinically suitable
• Pathology or imaging requests — when assessed as appropriate by your treating clinician

Hola Health clinicians are AHPRA-registered Doctors and medical practitioners in Australia. They will always recommend an in-person consultation, specialist referral, or emergency care if that is in your best interest.

Note: Telehealth is not suitable for all conditions. Hola Health does not replace your regular GP, specialist, or emergency services. If you are unsure whether telehealth is right for your situation, we recommend speaking with your usual healthcare provider. In emergencies, call 000.