ChemistryEquipment: Q&A: What to know about flu

Friday, January 7, 2011

Q&A: What to know about flu

This year's vaccine protects against swine flu

What you should know about flu, the risks of catching it and how to protect yourself against seasonal flu.

Is this flu or swine flu?

Both. The dominant strain in this winter's flu is the swine flu virus from last year's pandemic.

The H1N1 strain (swine flu) is worse than other strains because it tends to develop more quickly and is characterised by high fevers and gastrointestinal upsets.

This winter's flu and swine flu have become the same thing - but this is still NOT an epidemic or a pandemic.

What are the symptoms of flu?

Flu symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. They appear quickly, last for about seven days and generally leave you exhausted for weeks afterwards.

It's different from the common cold, in which the symptoms tend to come on gradually and people recover fully after a week or so.

Flu can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, and can even be fatal.

Can I avoid catching flu?

Short of isolating yourself from all people it is difficult to avoid encountering flu viruses. They are extremely common and are spread readily by coughs and sneezes. Read more about influenza on BBC Health.

To protect yourself and others this winter follow the Catch it, Bin it, Kill it advice - always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

Bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel. This is the best way to help slow the spread of flu.

Keeping your immune system strong by eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise, getting enough rest and relaxation and not smoking will also help you avoid illness.

How can I protect myself against flu?

Every year scientists make a vaccine that will offer protection against the most commonly circulating types of flu.

This year's vaccine also protects against the H1N1 swine flu virus.

It is available free on the NHS to anyone in high-risk groups, such as people over 65 and those with chronic health conditions like diabetes (see high-risk groups below).

How do I get vaccinated?

Those in the at-risk groups - the elderly, pregnant women and those with health problems such as diabetes and asthma - can get vaccinated at their local GPs.

This process has been complicated by the fact that some surgeries are running out, although GPs are saying they should be able to source some extra vaccine within a week or so.

If you are not in those at-risk groups the jab is NOT available on the NHS.

However it can be bought privately at pharmacies for between £7 and £12. Most pharmacies limit this service to people over the age of 16 or 18. Some employers also offer it to staff.

An anti-flu drug is also available for those who fall ill. GPs can prescribe Tamiflu to anyone they feel needs it, including children. While not a cure, Tamiflu can lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration of the infection.

Who is eligible for the free NHS vaccine?

People who are eligible are those in high-risk groups, which include:

Over 65sPregnant womenPeople of any age with long-standing health conditions including a serious heart or chest complaint or a previous stroke, serious kidney disease, asthma, diabetesPeople with lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer therapyCarers of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if they fall ill

Your GP may advise you to have a flu jab if you have serious liver disease, multiple sclerosis or some other diseases of the nervous system.

If you think you may need a flu vaccination, check with your GP, practice nurse or your local pharmacist.

What about children?

What marks this winter flu out as different from previous years is the fact that younger age groups are bearing the brunt of the infections.

This is because the dominant strain circulating is the swine flu virus from last year's pandemic. This naturally has caused concern among parents worried about their young children.

During the pandemic, healthy children under five years old were offered the vaccination, but this is not being done this winter as it is just being treated as a normal flu season.

Coupled with that, some pharmacies have refused to vaccinate children privately saying regulations do not allow them to. This has left many parents angry that their children are unprotected.

But there are two things that parents should bear in mind. Firstly, the majority of the children who get seriously ill are those with underlying health problems - and this group CAN get vaccinated.

Secondly, the swine flu vaccine should offer some protection. It was designed to last a couple of years at least. But the problem is that very few parents came forward last year with their children.

Just one in four children under five ended up getting immunised.

What should I do if I think I have caught flu?

Most people will get better after a few days of rest and will not need to see their doctor.

The general advice is to keep warm, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and take paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches.

Staying at home will also help avoid spreading the infection to others.

People in high-risk groups or anyone who is concerned or very ill with the flu should consult their GP. Always contact your doctor if you're not getting better after a few days, if you're unduly short of breath or if you're coughing up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm.

Anti-viral medication is available for some people who develop some types of flu but it needs to be taken early on in the disease to stop the virus multiplying, and may only reduce the symptoms rather than treating the infection.

In some severe cases hospital treatment may be necessary.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.