Influenza immunisation (the flu-jab)
goodtoknow says: Influenza, or flu, makes you feel dreadful. A fever, aches and pains are the most common symptoms. If you're otherwise healthy and under 65, you have nothing to worry about and will recover rapidly. Some people, especially the elderly and sick, need to take extra care and will be advised to have the flu jab. Carers and nurses should also have it too. The jab protects against most strains of influenza and lasts one year. It does not cause flu, if you get a cough or cold afterwards it's usually a coincidence.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of influenza from patient.co.uk, read on.
You should have a 'flu-jab' each autumn if you are at increased risk of developing complications or problems if you get flu (influenza).
What is influenza?
Influenza (flu) is caused by the influenza virus. It is transmitted by coughing and sneezing. Influenza causes a high temperature (fever), muscle aches, cough, headache and extreme tiredness. Each year a different strain of the influenza virus causes a winter outbreak of flu. If you are normally healthy, flu usually only lasts for a few days and then improves as your immune system clears the virus from the body. However, influenza can be much worse in the elderly and also in people with chest or heart conditions. Other infections can develop more frequently after having flu. These include pneumonia and bronchitis. Many people in the UK die each year (mostly elderly people) from the complications of flu.
Note: bird flu (avian influenza) is different to the usual 'human' flu. See separate leaflet on 'Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)' for more detail. Influenza immunisation only protects against 'human' flu strains of the influenza virus.
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James Rees, about 1 year
My mum has the flu and i am trying to help her out this has helped a little bit and i will talk to her about it but it's been a week and i am quite worried. and the bit about people dying is really scaring me. thanks for helping me out.
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Lucy Bostock, 10 months
i'm just getting over a nasty virus which began 2 weeks ago with a chesty cough. I have been quite ill and my partner had to call out the paramedic at one piont. I'm now beginning to feel a bit better and can see light at the end of the tunnel. As long as there are no other complications you will always get better eventually esp with someone caring looking after you.
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