Flu advice

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Flu advice

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Flu – protect yourself and others. Ask your GP about the vaccine today.

Who needs the flu jab?

The vaccine is available FREE to the following people:
• All pregnant women
• Anyone aged 65 years or over
• Any one with a long term health problem
• People receiving a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for someone
• People living in a long-stay residential home.

This includes people who have:
• Diabetes
• A chest problem or breathing difficulties (such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema)
• A heart problem
• Kidney or liver disease
• A neurological condition (such as Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease)
• A low immune system due to disease or treatment
• Had a stroke
• A problem with the spleen or the spleen has been removed.

Children

Children who have one of the conditions listed above should also have the vaccination.

What is the difference between a cold and Flu?

The symptoms of flu are similar to those of the common cold. A couple of common differences are:
• Symptoms of a cold appear gradually are not severe and affect just your nose and throat.
• Symptoms of flu are much more severe, causing fever, chills headaches and aching muscles.
You will not feel like getting out of bed or doing any of your daily activities.

I think I’ve got the flu – what should I do?

If you are in one of the ‘at risk’ groups listed before, you should contact your GP. You may need some extra help in fighting the virus.

If you are normally fit and well you should get better within two or three days. You should rest as much as you can and take paracetamol or paracetamol based cold remedies as these will help lower your temperature. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help.

More information can be found at http: //www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu/

More about the Flu vaccination

Every autumn, people over 65 years and those at risk of serious illness are offered the influenza (flu) jab to protect them from catching the virus. Each year the flu viruses circulating (and hence the flu vaccines) differ slightly from previous years, so it’s important to have an annual vaccination.

Flu is more than just a simple head cold. It tends to start suddenly with symptoms such as a temperature, chills, headache, aching muscles and feeling generally unwell, together with a cough or sore throat. For most people it’s enough to make them feel too ill to get out of bed for several days, and for a few individuals, especially the elderly or people with certain long-term diseases, it can lead to potentially fatal complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Advice
To avoid catching flu when the virus is about, have the vaccination when it’s offered.

Your GP surgery will have posters and leaflets giving details of upcoming flu vaccination clinics and will invite those who’ve been identified as being at risk to come to the surgery and have their jab. Talk to your GP or practice nurse if you are unsure whether you should have the vaccination.

For more information see www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu-jab or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

HPV vaccine

Getting your children vaccinated

MMR

Return to the main Get the jab page