Flu (Influenza)

What is Flu

It is a virus that can make even healthy people feel unwell, which is much more than a bad cold. It is spread through the air by coughs and sneezes, it can also be caught by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. In the most extreme cases, it can lead to serious infections which can, in extreme cases result in death. 

In Scotland, the flu season begins as the weather gets colder, so it is recommended that you receive the vaccine as soon as you can. The vaccine is available from October through the end of March.

The flu vaccine has generally been a good match for the circulating strains of flu, so being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against a virus that can cause serious illness. Even when it is not well matched, and you do develop flu, symptoms can be less severe and you may be less likely to develop complications that had lead to hospital admission or seeing a GP.

 

Child flu

The flu vaccine is offered to all children in Scotland age 2-5 years (not yet in school) at their GP practices and is offered to all primary school children at school. As the flu spreads quickly, it can cause unpleasant serious illness in children and likewise adults, that can lead to days spent ill in bed rather than being at school or doing day-day activities.

 Symptoms in children can be the same as adult and could include:

  • stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat
  • fever and chills
  • aching muscles and joints
  • headaches
  • extreme tiredness. 
 Flu can be very serious and can lead to complications such as: 
  • bronchitis
  • pneumonia
  • painful middle ear infection 
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea. 
Flu can be much more serious in children with health conditions such as asthma , heart, kidney, liver, neurological disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, which in the worse case can lead to disability or even death.

 How the vaccine is given  

Most children are given a tiny amount of the flu vaccine as a nasal (nose) spray into each nostrils. Therefore, it is not an injection. Its quick, painless and no need to sniff or inhale the vaccine. 

For some reasons where the nasal (nose) spray is not suitable for some children, then alternative flu vaccine can be offered to them as an injection in the upper arm.

 Reason some children shouldn't have the nasal (nose) spray vaccine: 

There are very few children who cannot have the nasal spray, these include children who:

  • have had their immune system suppressed because of treatment to some serious condition such as transplant or cancer
  • have severe condition like primary immunodeficiency, which affects the immune system
  • are taking frequent high doses of oral steroids
  • have had a serious reaction to previous dose of the vaccine
  • are undergoing salicylate treatment (taking aspirin)
  • have severe asthma, taking high dosage of inhaled steroids or have been recently prescribed oral steroids. 
Unless a child have had a life threatening reaction to egg that required intensive care, all children with an egg allergy can safely have the nasal spray vaccine. The nasal spray contains a small trace of pork gelatine. Many faith groups including Muslims and Jewish communities have approved the use gelatine containing vaccines. However, it is your choice whether you want your child to have the nasal spray vaccine. The nasal spray vaccine is much more effective than the injection in children. You can learn more about child flu questions and answers.

 

Over 65 or anyone with underlying health condition 

Scotland's chief medical and chief nursing officers recommend anyone with an underlying health condition (irrespective of how young they are or how fit they normally feel) and people over 65 have the flu vaccine every year. Over the last ten years, the flu vaccine has always matched the circulating strains of flu so you can be assured being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against a virus which can cause serious illness. Should the vaccine not match the strain of flu virus and you develop flu, symptoms may be less severe and you may be less likely to develop complications requiring you to see a GP or being admitted at the hospital. 

 Why the flu vaccine is recommended to anyone with an underlying health condition and over 65?

Anyone with a health condition, no matter how young, fit or well they feel, is at particular risk from flu. Conditions and diseases which make flu more dangerous includes: 

  • asthma
  • bronchitis
  • emphysema
  • cystic fibrosis
  • chronic heart disease
  • chronic kidney failure
  • multiple sclerosis
  • liver problems such as cirrhosis/hepatitis
  • diabetes
  • asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
  • overweight
  • HIV infection 
You need to get immunised annually to stay protected as the virus constantly changes and your immunity reduces over time. The flu vaccine is available from October to March and the earlier you get it the less likely you will get flu. 

Contact your GP practice to make an appointment for your vaccination, which will make you keep well over the winter. For other questions and answers for over 65 and anyone with underlying health condition.

 

Pregnant women

The royal college of midwives, Scotland's chief medical and chief nursing officers recommend that all pregnant women should have the flu vaccine, even if you have had it before or if this is not your first baby. The flu vaccine has always been a good match for all strains of flu, so you can be confident of not catching flu. Should the vaccine not match the flu strain, you are less likely to develop serious symptoms that will require you seeing a GP or being admitted to the hospital.

 Reasons to get the flu vaccine: 

  • Every year in Scotland, a number of pregnant women will get flu leading to admission and requiring intensive care treatment.
  • It can help protect you and your developing baby against flu
  • It contains no live viruses so it cannot give you flu
  • Its safe for you and your baby at any stage of your pregnancy
  • Pregnant women are more at risk of flu related complications, thereby needing extra protection. 
 Why is the flu vaccine recommended to the pregnant women?

Pregnant women are at risk as their immune system is weakened. This makes them (mother and baby) more vulnerable to flu, which can have more impact and leading to complications such as stillbirth, low birth weight and early labour.

The vaccine is offered from October to March, so contact your GP to make an appointment. The earlier you get vaccinated the better the protection for you and your baby throughout the winter.

 

Healthcare workers   

Scotland's chief medical and chief nursing officers agree that healthcare workers should be vaccinated. Over the last ten years, the flu vaccine has always matched the circulating strains of flu so you can be assured being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against a virus which can cause serious illness. Should the vaccine not match the strain of flu virus and you develop flu, symptoms may be less severe and you may be less likely to develop complications requiring you to see a GP or being admitted at the hospital.  

reasons to get the vaccine: 

  • it is best way to protect yourself against flu this year
  • it reduces the risk of spreading flu to family, patients and colleagues who could be at risk of catching the virus.
  • infected healthcare workers can spread their infection to their patients and family even if they have mild symptoms or no symptoms
  • patients with health conditions are 18 times more likely to die from flu than healthy people. 
Therefore, it is recommended that everyone who works in health and social care, or is directly involved in patient care, should have the flu vaccine. some of the job areas covered are: 
  • GP practices
  • pharmacies
  • hospitals
  • paediatric wards, 
  • cancer centres
  • intensive care units
  • dental surgeries
  • social care
  • care homes
Every year in Scotland, a number of healthcare workers gets flu especially where there are flu outbreaks in hospitals or care homes. Getting the vaccine reduces the risk of you catching the flu virus and spreading to your family and colleagues, as well as keeping it away from vulnerable patients due to their health conditions. Get more details on flu vaccine.

To arrange a vaccine, speak to your line manager or occupational health department for details.

Published: 27/10/2022 09:09