For fit and healthy people, the symptoms of flu may be mild and they will recover quickly. However, people living with long term conditions, older people and pregnant women are more likely to suffer severe complications from seasonal flu.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell said:
“Many people think that flu is just a bad cold, but in fact it can be much worse and can lead to other severe health complications. Vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions for saving lives and protecting our health. They are the simplest and safest way of protecting people from seasonal flu and its complications. It is really important that people who are in at-risk groups (see below) do get vaccinated.
“I also advise people who have cold or flu like symptoms to not present at their GP or Emergency Department (A&E) as this will spread the virus. If you would like advice or are worried about your symptoms call your GP or NHS Direct – 0845 46 47.
“It is also very important to keep up good hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of flu.”
If you think you have flu
Do:
- If you would like advice about your illness or are concerned about your symptoms, then in the first instance call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or phone your GP who will assess your symptoms and provide appropriate advice.
- Take bed rest, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and paracetamol can help.
- People in at-risk groups, aged 65 or over or who are pregnant may be prescribed antivirals to protect against complications.
Don’t
- If you do have a cold or flu-like symptoms, you should not go to your GP or emergency department as this increases the risk of spreading the infection.
- You should not visit a patient in hospital if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, a chest infection, diarrhoea or vomiting. This will help limit the spread of infection to vulnerable and susceptible patients.
Prevent the spread of flu
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing,
- use a tissue when possible,
- dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully,
- maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people,
- clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product,
- avoid unnecessary accidents.
Protect yourself
A vaccine is available to help protect those most vulnerable from flu.
At Risk Groups
The at-risk groups, and people eligible for a free vaccine are those who:
- Are aged 65 or older;
- live in long stay care home/facility; or
- are an unpaid carer of an elderly or disabled person; or
- are over the age of six months and have:
- a respiratory disease such as severe asthma or bronchitis;
- heart, renal or liver disease;
- neurological disease;
- diabetes;
- a weakened immune system because of disease or treatment such as cancer;
- are pregnant.
What to do if you are pregnant
- This year pregnant women not in the high-risk groups are being recommended to have the vaccine.
- During the flu pandemic last year, pregnant women were more likely to suffer from severe complications from swine flu even if they were otherwise fit and healthy. Although most women were fine and recovered well, some expectant mothers were hospitalised and sadly, there were deaths. It is therefore important that these women and their unborn children are protected.
