Keep flu at bay

As the winter draws near, the threat of flu grows greater.
So, here are our tips to avoid pandemic pandemonium…

From Legion Winter 2009

1. Many people think they’ve got flu if they catch a heavy cold, but flu is sudden and much stronger. Symptoms – which include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles –will come on very quickly, sometimes within a few hours. Colds, although sharing some symptoms, tend to develop over a couple of days.
   
   
2. Although it’s not a serious illness, the effects of flu can prove deadly for those with underlying health problems, such as low immunity or a heart or chest complaint. Those aged 65 or over are also at risk.
   
   
3. One easy way to stop flu affecting you over the winter months is to visit your GP for a flu jab. It’s a quick and – almost – painless process, and it doesn’t cause a mild bout of the virus.
   
   
4. The seasonal flu jab is changed slightly every year to keep up with the mutating virus, so to keep yourself immunised, you need to have a jab every year. This service is strongly advised to those classed as high-risk.
   
   
5. Since swine flu became a threat earlier this year, scientists have been working on a jab for this particular strain. It’s not yet clear whether this will be combined with the standard seasonal flu jab, so check with your GP to find out exactly what it covers.
   
   
6. If you’re not showing the symptoms of flu, NHS advice is to go about your normal business, although it’s best to avoid people who have been diagnosed, or are showing symptoms.
   
   
7. If you do have the symptoms, the advice is to go home, rest and keep yourself incubated. The usual incubation period for both seasonal and swine flu is two-to-three days. However, it can take up to a week before you’re ready to greet the world again, and the full effects may take two weeks to fully wear off.
   
   
8. Like seasonal flu, swine flu can be treated effectively with lots of rest, and by taking over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Over the winter months, it’s always a good idea to have a supply of paracetamol-based cold remedies in your home, in case you do fall ill suddenly.
   
   
9. Before the pandemic was declared, those with swine flu were being provided with Tamiflu, an antiviral which prevents the virus from spreading around the body – although it does not kill off the infection. However, Tamiflu was seen as a preventive measure, and is now being administered only to those classed as ‘high risk’, ie pregnant women or those with underlying health problems. If you do become ill, please contact health authorities for advice. Only obtain the drug from reliable sources. Do not buy pills over the internet.