Protect yourself against flu

Getting flu can be really miserable. It can make even the healthiest of people bedridden and cause hospitalisation and even death in those at risk. Those most at risk include people who suffer with:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Chest conditions
• Kidney conditions

As well as

• Those over 65's
• People who live in long-stay residential or nursing homes
• People who have lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment

Having a flu jab is quick and painless. Not only will it protect you from being poorly it will also prevent you from passing the illness onto your friends and family. Flu jabs cannot give you flu and are the most effective way to prevent an epidemic that endangers the lives of thousands of people.

Flu is highly infectious and can spread very rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus.

Flu symptoms
Flu is not just a cold. It gives you fevers, chills, extreme fatigue and aching muscles as well as more cold like symptoms such as sore throats and runny noses.

Flu jabs are free to everyone who is at risk, just ask your GP or Practice Nurse. The best time to get your jab is between September and November. Although you may have had a free flu jab in the past, each year a new strain of the bug appears so your injection only lasts 12 months.

As well as the flu jab, those at risk can also receive a pneumo jab which protects you against pneumonia for up to ten years.

Keep Well Keep Warm - for advice about keeping warm and healthy this winter phone 0800 085 7000.