It knocked me about for a day or so, but it was a weekend so I didn’t need to take any time off work and there was plenty of time for jokes about the “man flu” and “bravely” battling on.

I got over it quickly and didn’t think much of it as I normally get a cold once a year so I was guilty of ignoring the usual health department call for people to get their annual flu vaccination.

The wake-up call for me was this weekend at Rodeo when, to my surprise, I started exhibiting cold-like symptoms on Saturday.

By Sunday it had developed into all-out flu – my second dose in as many months – but this time much to my annoyance on the busiest weekend of the year.

I pretended I didn’t have it and tried to get my work brain into gear.

But this time it was serious, there were no jokes about man flu or battling on, and I had to concede defeat and retire to bed for the day.

It was horrible day of coughing, spluttering, nausea and headaches – and then Monday wasn’t much better.

In fact it wasn’t until Wednesday that I could face a full day of work at the office as the feeling I had been through several rounds with one of Fred Brophy’s boxers finally receded.

I was not alone in suffering these symptoms. The Mount Isa Emergency Department has been overwhelmed by cases and given the seriousness of my own situation, I for one do not blame them for presenting there – it is a very nasty strain.

And it seems to be more than just a case of Mount Isa “rodeo flu”, Australia as a whole is in its worst flu season for 15 years, with more than 70,000 people struck down so far this year.

Authorities say it is still not too late for people to have a flu vaccination this year. Those eligible for the government-funded influenza vaccine can access it from their doctor or immunisation provider.

All others can purchase the vaccine from their doctor, immunisation provider or their local pharmacist.

So do as I say (and not as I do) and get vaccinated while you can. I’ll be first in the queue next year – Derek Barry