Every winter between 50 and 200 in every 100,000 people see their GPs because they have seasonal flu – and that's not counting those who get sick without getting help.
The question is, should you get a flu jab this year?
Winter flu is no laughing matter. If you catch a flu virus, your symptoms might include general aches and pains, a high temperature, chills, sore throat, runny nose, dry or chesty cough – and that's just for starters. Flu can be life-threatening too, with 600 people on average dying from the virus in a normal winter and up to 13,000 during an epidemic year.
The problem is that flu viruses can spread fast, and unless you spend the winter in complete isolation from the general public they're not easy to avoid.
One way to protect yourself, however, is to have an annual flu vaccine. If you're not convinced, here are some important reasons why getting a flu jab might be a good idea…
You're in an at-risk group
If you're aged 65 or older, you might find it harder to shake off a bout of flu than you used to. As we get on in years, we become more susceptible to complications of flu such as pneumonia, which is why the over-65s are advised to get a flu jab every year, even if they are otherwise healthy.
Whatever your age, if you have one of the following chronic medical conditions, you're also strongly advised to get an annual flu jab to avoid the risk of serious complications:
Respiratory disease (ie asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc)
Heart, kidney or liver disease
Neurological disease (ie stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy)
Diabetes
Weakened immune system (ie as a result of a medical condition or having treatments such as steroid medicines or chemotherapy)
Those who live in nursing or residential care homes are also advised to have a flu jab every winter.
You're pregnant
This winter, all pregnant women are again being advised to have a flu jab. That's because experts believe being pregnant increases your risk of developing complications as a result of having flu, especially if you contract the H1N1 strain.
You can safely have a flu jab during any stage of pregnancy, including the first three months and up to your due date. Experts also believe the flu jab is safe for women who are breastfeeding.
This year, however, only children who are in an at-risk group are being vaccinated (during the pandemic of recent years, all under-fives were advised to have the jab, but this year experts believe the risk is lower for children who do not have any flu risk factors).
You're a healthcare worker
Health and social care workers are also strongly advised to have the seasonal flu vaccine, as they have a higher-than-normal risk of being affected. If you're a healthcare worker, your employer is responsible for providing a vaccine. However, if you're one of the country's many unpaid carers, the government states that you should also be vaccinated against the flu (as should the person you're caring for).
Now's the right time
Instead of waiting until the flu season is in full swing, health experts recommend having a flu jab early, between late September and early November. That way, you're already protected when the flu viruses are circulating.
It offers good protection
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against different viruses. This year, three strains are included in the virus, including the H1N1 virus that caused the swine pandemic in 2009.
Each February experts from the World Health Organisation decide which strains of the flu virus will be the most prevalent during the next winter. And according to experts, that means the jab offers 70-80 percent reliability in terms of protection against all strains of flu.
It's very safe
Flu vaccines have an excellent safety record and seldom cause side effects. The antibodies the vaccine triggers in your body can, however, cause symptoms such as tiredness, muscle aches and a mild fever. However, any such side effects only last for a day or so.
Allergic reactions to the vaccine are also rare. However, if you have had a previous allergic reaction to a flu jab – or you have a serious allergy to hens' eggs – you should not have the vaccine again.
It's widely available
If you're over 65 or you belong to an at-risk group, the flu jab is usually free from your GP. If you're not sure you're entitled to a free vaccine, ask your pharmacist. If you're not, many pharmacies now offer paid-for flu jabs – to find your nearest participating pharmacy
source : http://allabouthealth.org.uk/articles/seven-reasons-get-flu-jab-this-year
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