Flu Information

Seasonal Flu

The influenza virus was first identified in 1933. There are two main types that cause infection: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A usually causes a more severe illness than influenza B.Influenza is highly infectious, spreading from person to person by coughing or sneezing, and also through hand contact with contaminated surfaces, e.g. door handles, used tissues. People are infectious from just before symptoms develop until four to five days after the onset of symptoms for adults; children tend to be infectious for much longer.

Influenza occurs most often in winter and usually peaks between November and March in the northern hemisphere.
For most people influenza infection is just a nasty experience, but for some it can lead to more serious illnesses. The most common complications of influenza are bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. These illnesses may require treatment in hospital and can be life threatening especially in the elderly, asthmatics and those in poor health.

Click here for HPA resources on seasonal flu.

Staying Fit

A healthy lifestyle will better equip you to fight off secondary infections should you contract flu:

Eat a healthy diet
Drink plenty of fluids each day
Drink only sensible amounts of alcohol
Take regular exercise (aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise, 5 days per week)
Don't smoke. If you do smoke, cut back.

Click here for help in giving up smoking

Flu Vaccination

Each year some people are invited to have a flu vaccination. These groups are those at greater risk of suffering the complications of flu, and include those with:

A chronic heart or chest complaint
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes
Pregnant Women
Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
Any other serious medical condition - check with your doctor if you are unsure. This applies whatever your age. If in doubt ask your doctor.
Those who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill.

Vaccination is also recommended for anyone aged 65 years or more, and for people living in places such as residential homes for the elderly and nursing homes where there is a high risk of flu spreading quickly.

Click here to view the seasonal flu vaccination leaflet.

Is there anyone who should not be vaccinated?

You should not be vaccinated if you have a serious allergy to hens' eggs.

When should I be vaccinated with the flu vaccine?

The best time to be vaccinated is between late September and early November, ready for the winter. Most GP surgeries organise special flu vaccination clinics during the autumn, and many will write to you directly to offer you the vaccination if you are in one of the qualifying groups.

Click here for NHS Choices information on flu vaccination.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

One of the complications of flu is developing a subsequent bacterial chest infection or pneumonia. In around half of these cases, the infection will be due to pneumococcus, a bacteria which cause pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. People over 65, and people with certain "high risk" medical conditions are now routinely offered this vaccination as are children under 2. If you fall into one of these categories then you are well advised to take advantage of this vaccine as well as seasonal flu vaccination. For most people however, this willl only need to be a one off vaccination, unlike the flu vaccine which is given annually.

High risk medical conditions include people who have a chronic illnesses such as:

Chronic Respiratory Disease
Chronic Heart Disease
Chronic Renal Disease
Chronic Liver Disease
Diabetes

When should I be vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine?

Pneumococcal vaccinations can be given at any time of the year, and will usually be given as a one off jab. The vaccination is free to anyone in the above groups. Please contact your GP Practice to arrange an appointment with the Practice Nurse to discus the vaccination and arrange for the vaccination to be given.

What can you do to help?

If you go down with flu, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics (paracetamol for all ages, aspirin may be taken by adults).

Most influenza-like illnesses are self-limiting and may be caused either by influenza or other viruses/pathogens. It is best to treat the infection at home until the person is well enough to return to normal activities.

Seek medical advice if symptoms become severe or last more than about a week. Those with chronic or long-standing illness may need medical attention earlier.

Click here for the NHS Direct guide to self treatment of colds and flu.

Coughs and sneezes spread diseases!

Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza (both seasonal and during a pandemic) are spread by:

Coughing or sneezing
Unclean hands

To help stop the spread of germs:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing (either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner).
Encourage children to do the same, and make sure they know how to wash their hands.

Why wash your hands?

One of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold virus. You can also spread germs directly to others or onto surfaces that other people touch. And it's not just minor illnesses that can be spread - some pretty serious diseases - like hepatitis A, meningitis, and diarrhoea - can be too.

To wash your hands properly:

Wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Place the bar soap on a rack and allow it to drain.
Next rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces.
Continue for 10 - 15 seconds. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.
Rinse well and dry your hands thoroughly.

Pandemic Flu

Pandemics arise when a new virus emerges which is capable of spreading in the worldwide population. Unlike ordinary seasonal influenza that occurs every winter in the UK, pandemic flu can occur at any time of the year.

Click here for HPA resources on Pandemic Flu

Avian Flu

Avian flu (also known as bird flu) is an infection caused by a strain of influenza virus that usually infects wild or domesticated birds (particularly poultry), but occasionally crosses the species barrier and infects people. It is not pandemic flu

The severity of disease caused by avian influenza in people varies from mild disease to severe respiratory disease and death. The H5N1 virus that has infected people in the recent outbreaks in Asia has been highly pathogenic and caused serious respiratory illness with high mortality.

Hardly anyone is at risk of catching avian flu. Transmission is by very close contact with sick, and dead or dying infected birds, or infected bird products (principally faeces and blood). There have been no confirmed cases of person-to-person transmission.

There is concern that the virus could evolve into a strain which readily infects people and is easily transmissible between people, resulting in a pandemic virus if, for example it mixes with a human flu virus.

Click here for HPA resources on Avian Influenza

Click here for travel information to potentially infected areas

Last updated on 25 April 2012