What
is the flu?
The flu (or influenza as it is more correctly known) is a respiratory disease
caused by infection with a virus. It is spread from person to person in the
small droplets released from infected people when they cough or sneeze. The
infection usually causes a sore throat, elevated temperature, aches and pains
that can last for a week or more but in the elderly and people with certain
conditions it can be more severe and lead to serious complications.
How
can I protect myself from flu?
Yearly vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from influenza infection.
This should be undertaken in autumn in temperate climates but the best time
for vaccination in tropical regions is less well defined.
What
is in the influenza vaccine?
The currently available influenza vaccines contain purified, killed influenza
particles of the most recent strains of the three types of influenza currently
circulating globally, influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B.
Can
I get the flu from the vaccine?
No definitely not. The influenza particles in the vaccine are killed and are
not infectious.
Why
do I still get colds after I have had the flu shot?
The flu vaccine does not protect you from common colds or a number of other
respiratory diseases that may circulate during the winter.
Why
do I need to get a flu shot every year?
This is recommended for two reasons. Firstly the strains of influenza in the
vaccine usually change from one year to the next and secondly the protection
generated after influenza vaccine is relatively short lived unlike some other
vaccinations such as tetanus.
Who
is at greatest risk from influenza?
Older adults (in most countries defined as 65 years and above), people with
chronic cardiac, respiratory, kidney, metabolic (eg. diabetes) and immune system
diseases, pregnant women and people in long-term care. Infants under the age
of 6 months may also be at increased risk but cannot be protected by current
vaccines.
Can
influenza be treated?
There are two forms of treatment for influenza, symptomatic and antiviral. Drugs
that lessen the symptoms of the disease such as a runny nose, high temperature,
coughs, headache are available over the counter in pharmacies and sometimes
supermarkets: these have no effect on the course of the infection. Other drugs
which act to limit the multiplication of the virus are available by prescription
from a doctor. This second group comprises the recently released drugs known
as 'neuraminidase inhibitors', Zanamirvir (Relenza) and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
which act on both influenza A and B, and the older drugs Amantidine and Rimantidine
which act only on influenza A. Note that some of these drugs may not be available
in all countries and treatment is only beneficial if commenced within 48 hours
of onset of symptoms.