Flu: Questions and Answers

05/01/2011

1. What can I do to help avoid spreading germs and reducing the chances of catching flu?

General tips to help avoid spreading germs to others and avoid picking them up yourself include always carrying tissues, covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and washing your hands as soon and as often as you can.

The virus can also survive for a few hours on hands and hard services, so make sure you follow good hand hygiene and clean hard surfaces (including door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

2. How do I know if I have flu and not just a cold?

Patients with seasonal flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms:

• unusual tiredness
• headache
• runny nose
• sore throat
• shortness of breath or cough
• loss of appetite
• aching muscles
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

3. How many people in Gloucestershire have flu?

We know that a number of people in Gloucestershire will experience flu-like symptoms. Not everyone seeks advice from their GP and so it is not possible to provide an accurate figure. In addition, the number of people who have flu at any one time will change regularly.

The weekly influenza/influenza-like illness consultation rates for Gloucestershire are below the national average at 103.00 per 100,000 for week ending 26 December.

Throughout the winter months, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will treat a number of vulnerable patients who are suffering from complications linked to flu. This is to be expected and should not cause wider concern. Current demand for critical care beds is typical for this time of year.

4. What should I do if I think I have flu?

If you think you or anyone in your family has flu, you should do the following:

• Check your symptoms online using the NHS Direct symptom checker (www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect) or call 0845 4647.
• Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. Take paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce fever and other symptoms. If you require this or other medication, a healthy friend or relative should collect this from a local pharmacy.

If you think you have flu and have an underlying health condition, are pregnant or your symptoms worsen (or you are worried about your symptoms), stay at home and call your GP surgery who can provide advice over the phone.

5. How is flu spread?

The flu virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

If someone coughs or sneezes and they do not cover their nose or mouth, those droplets can spread about one metre (3ft). The virus can also survive for a few hours on hands and hard services, so make sure you follow good hand hygiene and clean hard surfaces frequently using a normal cleaning product.

6. Should I go to work or school if I have been in contact with someone who I know has flu?

Yes, as long as you do not have flu-like symptoms. If you are feeling well, you should go about your normal activities, including going to school or work, unless you have been told not to do so by the school or your employer.

If you have flu-like symptoms or symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea you should stay at home and seek medical advice by phone as described above.

7. Will the number of cases of flu increase with people going back to school/work?

It is difficult to predict if we will see an increase in the number of people reporting flu-like illness. However, flu and other winter illnesses such as Norovirus are more easily spread in places where there are a lot of people such as schools and offices.

This is why people are encouraged to stay at home if they have flu-like symptoms or sickness and diarrhoea as this helps to reduce the spread.

People working in schools and offices can help by ensuring they follow the hygiene advice.

8. What advice has been given to parents as schools and nurseries start the new term this week?

NHS Gloucestershire has worked closely with Gloucestershire County Council to issue advice to schools, colleges and early years settings on managing flu-like symptoms in pupils.

Children should continue to attend school if they are feeling well.

Children who have a fever and are exhibiting flu like symptoms should be kept off school until the fever has subsided; this can take between two and seven days.

9. Can GPs surgeries and hospitals in Gloucestershire cope with the current and future flu levels?

Winter is always a time when the pressures on the NHS in Gloucestershire increase and we have well-rehearsed plans in place for managing extra demand on the healthcare system. Current demand is as we would expect at this time of year.

However, people can help healthcare services by following the advice and guidance provided above.

10. Can I have the flu vaccine?

All those aged 65 years and over and other individuals below that age, including children, who suffer from certain health conditions such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes should have the vaccine.

The free seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for the following individuals and groups:

• People aged 65 or over
• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• And anyone with:
• a chronic heart or chest complaint, including asthma
• serious kidney or liver disease
• diabetes
• lowered immunity due to illness or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
• any other serious medical condition – check with your doctor if you are unsure.

This year the seasonal flu vaccination is also being offered to pregnant women as it offers protection against the H1N1 virus.

You should also have the seasonal flu vaccination if you live in a residential or nursing home, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person.

Paid and unpaid carers are also eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine, so that they stay healthy in order to benefit those they look after.

11. Why is the seasonal flu vaccination being offered to pregnant women?

This is because the H1N1 virus is circulating this winter and pregnant women who catch this strain are at an increased risk of complications and flu-related hospital admissions.

12. How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine?

Most people who have the seasonal flu vaccination will not get seasonal flu. However, like any vaccine, it does not give 100% protection. In years where the vaccine is well matched to the circulating viruses out of every 100 people who have the vaccine, 70-80 may be protected, while others who have had the vaccine and catch flu are more likely to get milder symptoms.

The seasonal flu vaccination will not protect you against:

• the common cold
• other winter viruses.

13. Do I need to have the vaccination every year?

Yes. The virus changes every year as does the vaccine. So don’t assume that you don’t need another vaccination because you had one last year.

14. Does the seasonal flu vaccine protect me against swine flu?

Yes. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine will protect you against swine flu.

15. Should children be given the seasonal flu vaccine?

If you have a child who has one of the conditions listed above or who has previously been admitted to hospital with a serious chest or respiratory condition, they may not be able to recover from seasonal flu as well as other children can. Talk to your GP or practice nurse about your child having the seasonal flu vaccination.