Express & Star

Winter flu advice

Published
Last updated

As the summer months draw to a close, doctors across Cannock Chase are starting to turn their attentions to keeping you well during winter.

more

[breakout title="Dr Johnny McMahon" align="right"]Dr Johnny McMahon is chairman of Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group, was well as being a practising doctor in Cannock.[/breakout]

This inevitably leads to a focus on the flu virus and what they can do to protect their more vulnerable patients.

At best the flu is a nasty disease that can make the healthiest of people unwell for a number of days. At worse it can lead to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis and can even be fatal.

Flu symptoms can hit quite suddenly and can be very severe. They usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles. You can also get a cough and a sore throat.

Because flu is caused by a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics will not treat it. However the flu vaccine will help to prevent you getting the virus in the first place.

The vaccine is completely safe and has been used for many years. However, there is still some confusion around who is eligible for the vaccine and here we try to tackle some of the misunderstanding and the myths that have developed over the years.

Anyone can get flu, but it can be more serious for certain people, such as people aged 65 or over, people with a serious medical condition or pregnant women.

If you are in one of these groups you are more vulnerable to the effects of flu (even if you are generally fit and healthy) and could develop flu complications. These are the more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia and could result in hospitalisation. Flu can also make existing medical conditions worse. So, should you have the flu jab?

If you are 65 years old or over you should have the flu vaccine. You should also have the vaccine if you are pregnant or have any of the following problems, regardless of your age:

  • A serious heart complaint

  • A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema

  • Serious kidney disease

  • Diabetes

  • Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment

  • If you have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

  • If you have a problem with your spleen or have had your spleen removed

  • If you are a nominated carer for someone

  • Your GP may also advise you to have a flu jab if you have serious liver disease, multiple sclerosis or some other diseases of the nervous system

Children aged two, three and four by September 1 are also eligible for the flu vaccine as well as at risk pupils from the Fluenze Pilot for school years 7 and 8, who do not meet the inclusion criteria (for instance those that have an egg allergy).

ALL of the practices within the Cannock Chase area will be allowing patients to either drop in on a designated day or to pre-book for their flu jab from September.

Contact your GP practice to get further details about how you can get yours.