Colds & Flu
These usually start with a runny nose, cough, temperature and aches. They are caused by a virus and antibiotics are of no use in their treatment. Treatment consists of taking recommended doses of paracetamol for the temperature and aches and drinking plenty of fluids.
Flu jab
Flu is a highly infectious illness which spreads very rapidly through coughs and sneezes of people who are already carrying the virus.
Flu immunisation (flu jab) gives you good protection from flu and lasts for one year. The vaccine is normally available in the autumn and is made from the strain of flu that is expected in the coming winter. In order to remain protected, you need to ensure that you have a flu jab every year.
A flu jabs main purpose is to protect those who are most at risk of developing complications that can result from flu. You should have a flu jab if you are aged 65 or over, or if you have:
- a serious heart problem such as heart failure,
- a serious asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
- a long-term kidney or liver disease,
- diabetes, or
- a weakened immune system as a result of an illness such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or AIDS or due treatment, such as chemotherapy.
If you're the parent of a child (over the age of six months) with a long-term condition, speak to your GP about the flu jab. Your child's condition may get worse if they do catch flu.
If you're the carer of an elderly or disabled person make sure they've had their flu jab. You should also get the jab yourself if their welfare is at risk (i.e. you can't look after them) if you fall ill. Ask your GP for advice.
Special flu clinics are held each autumn, ask your GP or practice nurse for details. You are entitled to a free flu jab if you:
- are aged 65 or over,
- are a resident in a long-term residential care home,
- have diabetes,
- are having cancer treatment,
- have lowered immunity due to HIV or steroid medication, or
- have a long-term chronic condition, such askidney or liver disease.
Flu jab for poultry workers
If you work in close contact with poultry you are also entitled to a free flu vaccination. This includes if you work in areas where poultry are kept for rearing or egg production purposes, you handle or catch live poultry, you sort eggs in poultry houses, or you slaughter or clean poultry.
Free flu vaccination is being offered to poultry workers because people who work in close contact with poultry may have a slight risk of catching bird flu if an outbreak occurred. If the bird flu and human flu viruses were to mix, a new flu virus could be made. A flu vaccination protects against human flu, reducing the risk of the viruses mixing due to a person having both human flu and bird flu at the same time.
The flu vaccine is being offered to eliminate this slight risk. However, the Department of Health have made it clear that this is a precautionary measure. It does not mean there is an increased risk of a bird flu outbreak in the UK. This risk remains low.