Influenza
What is flu?
Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Flu occurs every year mainly during the winter months. The influenza virus attacks the respiratory tract (the ear, nose and throat). The virus is mainly spread by respiratory droplets in the air produced by coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread by hand to eye contact after touching the respiratory droplets on another person or object. The incubation period before onset of symptoms is between one and three days. Flu generally lasts up to a week, during which time a person usually feels sufficiently unwell to stay in bed. Symptoms include headache, high fever, chills, sore throat, aching joints and muscles and a dry cough.
Although most people recover from flu within a week, for some people the infection is more serious and leads to complications. These illnesses may require treatment in hospital and can be life-threatening especially in the elderly, people with heart or chest disease and those in poor health.
Who is most at risk from flu?
Anyone can get flu but it is more serious for people aged 65 years and over and people of any age with a chronic medical condition, particularly chronic respiratory and cardiac disease. Young children have a greater risk of being infected because they will not have had the opportunity to develop immunity to the virus.
Can you avoid catching the flu?
The flu virus is very infectious, so if there is an outbreak, it can be hard to avoid unless you have natural immunity to it. The most effective way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated. Handwashing and trapping coughs and sneezes in your handkerchief will also help avoid the spread of infection.
What is flu vaccine?
The vaccine contains inactivated influenza virus that enables your immune system to make antibodies. Because the flu virus is continually changing, and different types circulate each winter, a new influenza vaccine has to be produced each year.
How effective is the flu vaccine?
Most years it provides a 70 to 80% protection against infection with influenza virus.
Can the flu jab cause the flu?
Absolutely not. The vaccine contains no live flu virus so it is impossible for it to give you the flu. Some people may experience mild flu-like symptoms for up to 48 hours after immunisation as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but this is not flu.
How long does the vaccine take to work?
Protection develops about 7-10 days after receiving the vaccine.
Are there any side effects from having the vaccine?
Side effects are extremely uncommon. Some people may feel some slight soreness in their arm where they had the injection. Occasionally a slight temperature or headache 24 hours after the jab may be experienced.
Does the vaccine protect against colds?
No, the viruses that cause colds are different from the ones that cause flu. But the effects of flu at home and at work are far nastier than a cold, so it is good to be as protected as possible.
Does having the vaccine protect you for life?
No. Unfortunately, you have to be vaccinated yearly as the flu virus is constantly changing, so each year the virus is slightly different as is the vaccine.
Should anyone not have the flu vaccine?
You should not be vaccinated if you have had serious allergic reactions to: hens' eggs, previous flu vaccines or the antibiotics neomycin or gentamicin. If a person is ill with a fever, the vaccination should be delayed until they have recovered.
Does the NHS provide flu vaccination?
The NHS offers Flu vaccination to the following groups of people who are most at risk from the serious complications of influenza infection:
- Over 65's
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Chronic renal disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Diabetics
- Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
- People living in residential care homes
- Carer for an elderly or disabled person
Healthy working adults only receive a flu vaccine if provided by their employer or if they choose to pay for it privately.
Deaths
Each year 3-4,000 deaths are attributed to influenza in the UK. However during epidemics death rates can be much higher, e.g. 30,000 excess deaths in 1989-90 with 89% of these being in people aged over 65 years. During epidemics, can be much higher, e.g. 30,000 excess deaths in 1989-90 with 89% of these being in people aged over 65 years. (Donaldson GC, Keatinge WR BMJ 2002)
Why Vaccinate?
Avoiding flu can be hard, especially if you travel on crowded buses and trains or work in an office environment. Flu is highly infectious and is passed on through sneezing, coughing and hand contact, as well as indirectly from touching infected door handles, telephones etc.
The Vaccine Clinic specialises in flu jabs. Vaccination is one of the simplest and most effective ways for individuals and companies to protect their health! Well-organised flu vaccination programmes are also a key part of preparing for a possible future flu pandemic.
Individual Vaccination
We recognise the impact that flu infection can have on personal well-being. We offer flu vaccination to anyone who wants protection throughout the flu season. Simply ring The Vaccine Clinic on 01943 838913 to make an appointment.
We also offer the pneumococcal vaccine, which provides protection against pneumonia.
To book or find out more:
T: 01943 830367
F: 01943 831287
E: info@thevaccineclinic.co.uk
A: The Vaccine Clinic
Addingham Medical Centre
151a Main Street
Addingham
Ilkley
West Yorkshire
LS29 0LZ