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Smokefree England -Surgeries are smoke free |
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What is Flu?Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. There are 3 type of influenza virus; A, B and C. Most illnesses are caused by A & B viruses. The symptoms of influenza C infection are usually mild.
Flu occurs every year, mainly during the winter months. The influenza virus attacks the ears, nose and throat. The virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets in the air produced by coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread for example by hand to eye contact, after touching respiratory droplets on another person or object. The incubation period before onset of symptoms is between 1 -3 days.
The influenza infection is different to having a cold: the symptoms of flu come on suddenly and include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, aching body, dry cough, sore throat and stuffy nose. Most people recover from flu within one week but for some people the infection is more serious and leads to complications.
The flu season peaks between December and March although it can start earlier. Immunisation is offered starting in September/October depending on supply and continues until March. The vaccine is offered to those people deemed as “at risk” by the Department of Health
The “at risk” groups include:
Possible side effects: The flu vaccine is a “dead” vaccine and cannot give you the flu but individuals may experience a sore arm at the injection site and flu like symptoms which should only last for a few days.
Contraindications: Contraindications are reasons for not having the injections this include patients with diagnosed egg allergy or serious reaction to vaccine in the past.
Clinics for flu vaccines are held at both Arbroath House and William Brown Centre. . |