A strain of influenza has struck town with many doctors reporting an unusually large number of cases in the past few days.

Dr Ron Bleier of News Horizons For Health said the clinic's three doctors have been attending to patients struck down by the illness.

"We don't see the flu all year round so it we're experiencing cases lately that we don't normally see.

"We see a lot of it in tourists because they are travelling, going through airports, they're vulnerable to catching it. Some people are coming from colder climates so they come up with the flu and they arrive here for their holiday and the next day they're crook."

He said there were a number of symptoms that accompany the flu and, distinct from the common cold, can include fever, chills, aches and pains, headaches, and even nausea and diarrhoea.

He said symptoms can come on very quickly and can be severe, likening some of the symptoms to Dengue or Ross River Fever.

"They (sufferers) are toxic, they're really sick and can't do anything, they're bed ridden and it's quite a disabling condition compared to getting a cold."

Dr Bleier said treatment varies depending on the symptoms experienced, and said he personally subscribes to alternative medicines to fight off flu.

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"I use herbs and things to help people with symptoms. There is no antibiotic that helps, so I tend to just get people to rest, take fluids, paracetamol or Nurofen for aches and pains.

"I use Chinese medicine and herbs because I find them useful. That's just my bent, the average GP wouldn't do that but I've got that interest because you see so many people with flu and there's no treatment, so I find that it's helpful.

He added that antibiotics may be prescribed to fight complications that may come with this particular flu such as a chest infection.

Dr Bleier said people could consider receiving a flu vaccine to stave of the illness, but acknowledged the controversy sometimes surrounding vaccinations.

"It is controversial because there has been issues where people have had side effects or problems from it...people have become wary of it.

"But a lot of our older people have it every year and they don't seem to have a problem with it.

"If you're an older person or have a chronic illness, and it's going to be worse to get the flu and it's going to knock you around and potentially give you pneumonia then it's probably better to have the vaccination."

He said that people suffering symptoms should isolate themselves to prevent the spread to other members of the public.

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