Workplaces across the land are struggling - and it's just days into winter. Flu is sweeping the country and it's not just productivity that's reeling from it.
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Already in NSW, the number of deaths from the potentially lethal virus has exceeded the total death toll for all of 2018.
As temperatures continue to fall, that grim statistic is expected to rise. The elderly and very young are most at risk but even the hale and hearty can suffer ongoing complications which can have lasting impacts on wellbeing and quality of life.
The experience of eight-year-old Newcastle girl Millie Campbell illustrates how debilitating the virus can be. Millie was struck down by the influenza B strain in March.
The virus attacked the little girl's organs and muscles and almost took her life, when she went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, she pulled through but only after being given CPR for eight minutes, after which she was placed on a heart-lung machine.
She faces a long, uphill battle to regain her strength and vitality.
That's why health authorities are urging everyone to have their flu shots. What starts with the symptoms of a bad cold can quickly develop into life threatening illness. A vaccine now can prevent a lot of grief later in the season. But even if you get vaccinated today, you are still vulnerable for two weeks as the vaccine builds the body's immunity.
Children under nine will require two shots, one month apart, which makes organising the shots for them even more urgent.
Under the National Immunisation Program, flu shots are free for pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, Aboriginal people and those with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart problems.
Many employers also offer their workers free shots.
While vaccinations will help slow the spread of the virus, so, too, will other precautions.
While it might look strange, coughing into your elbow rather than your hand will help restrict the movement of the virus - hands touch everything; elbows don't.
If you're showing symptoms, it's probably best not to soldier on. You're likely to infect those around you. It's particularly important to stay away from the vulnerable - young children and the elderly.
Most important, though, is getting your shot. If you do one thing today, make an appointment to get vaccinated.
