As flu season arrives, many individuals are understandably nervous about getting sick. Statistics from February this 12 months present the elevated pressure on the NHS with 3,372 sufferers a day with flu. However what’s the distinction between the varied strains of flu, how can we stop it and the way ought to we reply if we fall sick with it?
Flu is seasonal and every year a brand new pressure will start to unfold.
Flu is a extremely infectious illness and signs often seem in a short time. Whereas colds could make you are feeling depressing, they’re significantly much less critical. They often begin steadily with a runny nostril and sore throat. Flu nonetheless, is prone to flatten you utterly, inflicting fever, chills, headache, aches and pains within the joints and muscle groups, and excessive tiredness.
Wholesome people often get well inside two to seven days, however it may be very critical, in some circumstances resulting in hospitalisation, everlasting incapacity and even fatality!
What causes flu?
Influenza viruses affecting your respiratory system trigger flu. Not like bacterial infections, you can not deal with viruses with antibiotics. In some circumstances, nonetheless, chances are you’ll obtain a prescription for antibiotics if there are further opportunist micro organism that trigger issues and wish treating.
How do you catch flu and might I keep away from it?
Flu virus is unfold liberally in tiny droplets of saliva launched when somebody with the virus coughs or sneezes.
These droplets are then inhaled by different folks or they’re contaminated by touching surfaces the place the droplets have landed. The virus can survive on surfaces for a lot of hours.
To stop the unfold of the virus be certain that you cowl your mouth and nostril if you cough or sneeze. Keep away from touching your face in a public setting akin to a bus or practice, use hand gels whereas out and wash your fingers commonly.
Nevertheless, the easiest way to guard your self towards flu is by having a flu vaccination earlier than flu season commences.
One of many methods to forestall getting the flu is the flu jab.
Annually groups of specialists attempt to predict the most definitely viruses to have an effect on us and match them into the vaccine as carefully as attainable.
Nevertheless, flu is unpredictable and there may be at all times a threat of a change within the virus. A 2022 examine confirmed that flu vaccination decreased youngsters’s threat of extreme life-threatening influenza by 75%.
Solely the kid’s nasal flu vaccine consists of cowl for Japanese flu – and that is okay, as it’s predominantly youngsters that get this pressure.
Immunity takes a few weeks to construct up, so you will need to get the vaccine earlier than the start of flu season. Whereas it isn’t a reside vaccine and mustn’t make you are feeling sick, some folks have a low-grade fever and aching arm for a few days after the vaccination.
The Pneumonia vaccine
Who ought to get the vaccine?
If somebody has further medical situations, is pregnant, is the only carer for somebody dependent upon them, or a care employee – they need to attempt to get the free jab. Flu is critical and can put you out of motion when you get it as properly.
Anybody will pay for it and might simply make an appointment with their Pharmacist.
Nevertheless, you’re entitled to a free flu vaccine if you’re pregnant or have one of many following long-term situations:
- a coronary heart downside
- a chest criticism or respiratory difficulties, together with bronchitis, emphysema or extreme bronchial asthma
- kidney illness
- low immunity as a result of illness or therapy (akin to steroid treatment or most cancers therapy)
- liver illness
- had a stroke or a transient ischaemic assault (TIA)
- diabetes
- a neurological situation, e.g. a number of sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy or studying incapacity
- an issue along with your spleen, e.g. sickle cell illness, or you might have had your spleen eliminated
- are critically obese (BMI of 40 and above).
What to do when you suspect you might have flu:
There isn’t any want to go to your GP if you’re affected by flu as there may be nothing they will do that will help you battle it. Nevertheless, when you develop issues or are critically nervous please cellphone the surgical procedure and get further medical recommendation.
The important thing recommendation to get well as rapidly as attainable is:
- Relaxation and sleep
- Maintain heat
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to deal with aches and pains which may also decrease your temperature.
- Drink loads of water and keep away from dehydration (urine needs to be pale yellow or clear)
Pharmacists may give therapy recommendation and suggest flu cures that may assist you to really feel higher.
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We strongly advise that you simply attend a totally regulated Sensible or On-line First Assist course to know what to do in a medical emergency. Please go to https://firstaidforlife.org.uk or name 0208 675 4036 for extra details about our programs.
First Assist for Life is a multi-award-winning, totally regulated first support coaching supplier. Our trainers are extremely skilled medical, well being and emergency providers professionals can tailor the coaching to your wants. Programs for teams or people at our venue or yours.
First Assist for all times offers this info for steering and it isn’t in any manner an alternative to medical recommendation. First Assist for Life isn’t accountable or chargeable for any prognosis made, or actions taken primarily based on this info.
