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Health and well-being
Seasonal flu
Flu is an illness caused by the influenza virus - it is an infectious disease of the upper air passages and can spread easily from person to person. Outbreaks of seasonal flu follow predictable seasonal patterns and occur annually, usually in winter. Unlike pandemic flu, you can be vaccinated to protect yourself from suffering from seasonal flu.
Recognising flu symptoms
If you've got flu you're likely to develop the following symptoms:
- a sudden fever, with a high temperature (generally above 38°/100°F)
- a chill
- a severe headache
- muscle aches and pains
- a sense of feeling weak and tired
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
Protecting yourself from flu
Anyone can get flu, but it can be more serious for certain people, such as young children, older people and those with serious health conditions.
A vaccination, or flu jab, is available to protect you if you are in any of the clinical risk groups described below.
You will need to get this flu jab every year as the viruses that cause flu change every year. However, it will not protect you against avian or pandemic flu.
Who should get vaccinated
Each autumn, from October, the NHS provides a free flu vaccine for the over 65s and everyone, including children over six months of age, in the following clinical risk groups:
- serious heart disease
- serious lung disease, like emphysema, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis or asthma
- serious kidney or liver disease
- a long-term health problem, like diabetes
- a weakened immune system - eg from chemotherapy, radiotherapy or steroid treatment or HIV/Aids
If you live in a nursing/care home or similar long-term residential accommodation, you should talk to your nurse or the manager about getting a flu jab. Healthcare professionals directly involved in patient care should also be vaccinated.
Also, if you are the main carer for older or disabled people then you should ask your GP whether you should be vaccinated so that you can continue to look after them.
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