This vaccine helps to protect you or your child against influenza (flu), particularly in subjects wh run a high risk of associated complications. When a person is given the vaccine, the immune system (the body's natural defence system) will produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. None of the ingredients in the vaccine can cause flu. Flu is a disease that can spread rapidly and is caused by different types of strains that can change every year. Therefore, this is why you might need to be vaccinated every year. The greatest risk of catching flu is during the cold months between October and March.
How it is spread
The flu virus is spread in the small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. If you breathe in these droplets, you may become infected.
Flu can also spread if someone with the virus touches common surfaces such as door handles with unwashed hands.
The infectious period
Symptoms develop one to four days (two days on average) after being infected.
People with flu are usually infectious (can spread the virus) a day before symptoms start, and remain infectious for five or six days. Children and people with weaker immune systems (such as cancer patients) may remain infectious for slightly longer.
Try to avoid all unnecessary contact with others during this infectious period.
How common is it?
Seasonal flu is a very common illness that occurs every year, usually during the winter months (October to April in the UK).
The number of people who consult their GP with flu-like symptoms varies from year to year, but is usually between 50 and 200 for every 100,000 people. This is in addition to the many people with flu who do not see their GP.
Summary
Your symptoms will usually peak after two to three days. You should begin to feel much better within five to eight days.
However, elderly people or those with certain medical conditions may develop a complication such as a chest infection. This can lead to serious illness and can be life-threatening.
In the UK, about 600 people a year die from flu. This rises to around 13,000 during an epidemic.
To book an appointment to have the flu jab please call us on 01233 503666.
