Flu
4. Vaccination
Prevention is better than cure, and flu - as well as any possible complications it causes - can largely be prevented by vaccination. Vaccines are available every year from October, before the virus usually appears.
Unlike some vaccines that last for years or life, you must get a flu jab every year to stay protected. The flu vaccine prevents the illness for about three quarters of people who are vaccinated. If you do catch flu, you'll have a milder illness with fewer complications than if you had not been vaccinated.
Modern flu vaccines have few side effects - some people get a sore arm for a day or two. Ask at your GP practice about the flu jab. Visit the NHS Direct website to locate your nearest GP if you haven't already got one.
Older people living in care homes are at greater risk because of the ease and speed at which the flu virus can spread when 'high risk' groups live together. For this reason, the Department of Health also recommends vaccination of people living in a care home.
Excuses, excuses
Unfortunately not everyone over the age of 65 or in the other 'high risk' groups gets a vaccination. Here are some of the reasons people give for not having a jab.
'I'm not likely to get flu anyway' - Just because you have never had flu before doesn't mean that you won't get it this winter. There are many different strains of flu virus which change every year. A particularly nasty strain of the virus can make normally healthy people very ill. Similarly, because each winter's flu is slightly different from previous years, having flu once will not stop you getting it in the future.
'Even if I do get flu, I'll get over it' - Flu is a horrible experience for most people. If you are older or in one of the other 'high risk' groups you are more likely to get complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis which may put you in hospital. Unfortunately a lot of people die from flu every year, so why risk it?
'I'm worried about the side effects' - The most common side effect of a flu jab is a slightly sore arm where the vaccine was injected. The jab cannot give you flu as there is no live virus in the vaccine. But occasionally, some people find that they get a bit of a temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days after being vaccinated.
