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Seasonal Flu

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by a variety of different flu viruses. It spreads rapidly through droplets dispersed by the coughs and sneezes of infected people.

Each year, a vaccine is developed to protect against the strains of flu virus that are expected to be most prevalent that winter. This 'flu jab' is used not just in the UK, but throughout the Northern hemisphere. It gives good protection (70-80% reliability) against all strains of flu included in the vaccination and lasts for a year.

The entire process of developing the seasonal flu vaccine is led, organised and overseen by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The flu jab is offered to people in at-risk groups. These are people, such as pregnant women and the elderly, who are at greater risk of developing serious complications if they catch flu.

You should check now to see if you or members of your family are in an at-risk group.

Conditions that put you at higher risk of flu

The seasonal flu jab is offered free of charge to anyone over the age of six months with the following medical conditions, as they are at higher risk of catching flu:

  • chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, COPD or bronchitis,
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure,
  • chronic kidney disease,
  • chronic liver disease,
  • chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease or motor neurone disease,
  • diabetes, or
  • a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment.

 

This year's flu jab (2010-2011)

This winter, the H1N1 strain of the flu virus is one of three strains of flu that the seasonal flu jab protects against. H1N1 is the same strain of flu behind last year's swine flu pandemic. The other two strains of flu this year's jab protects against are H3N2 and B.

It is important to realise that H1N1 is no different from other strains of flu as regards the principles of creating a vaccine to protect against it. Its inclusion in this year’s seasonal flu jab poses no additional risk. It is included simply because it is one of the major flu strains circulating in Britain this winter.

Treating seasonal flu 

If you are otherwise fit and healthy, you can manage your symptoms of seasonal flu at home (see below). You will usually get better without treatment.

If you are in an at-risk group (see box) and have flu-like symptoms, or if your flu symptoms are getting worse, see your GP. These groups are more likely to suffer complications from flu. You may be prescribed antiviral medication (see below).

Antibiotics are not prescribed for flu as they have no effect on viruses. However, occasionally it may be necessary to treat complications of flu, especially serious chest infections or pneumonia.

Caring for yourself at home

Make sure you have plenty of rest and are taking paracetamol-based cold remedies to lower your temperature and relieve symptoms.

Some over-the-counter treatments can be given to children who have flu, according to the instructions supplied with each medicine. Under-16s must not take aspirin or ready-made flu remedies containing it.

Always read the medicine's label or check with the pharmacist that it is suitable for children to take.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are recovering. You may need to stay in bed for two or three days after your symptoms peak.

Antiviral medication 

If you are in a high-risk group (see box) and have flu-like symptoms, see your GP. You may be prescribed antivirals to take.

They will not cure flu but will help to:

  • reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day,
  • relieve some of the symptoms, and
  • reduce the potential for serious complications.

Antivirals work by stopping the virus from multiplying in your body.



 
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