'Tis the season to be jolly, the festive lyrics remind us as we edge closer to Christmas. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones who has already contracted flu, or are likely to get it as others are raising their glasses on December 25, then you will not be feeling in any way jolly.
Winter is flu season and the HSE West says viruses such as flu, Covid-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus, which is the main cause of pneumonia in very young children ) continue to circulate in the community. In fact, they are expected to surge in the coming weeks, according to the health authority.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control estimates that up to 20 per cent of Europe's population are affected by flu annually. The HSE West is urging eligible people to get vaccinated for both it and Covid-19 before the festive season. Both viruses are expected to circulate at high levels over Christmas and as it takes about two weeks for the vaccines to take effect, now is the time to act, it says. There were 22 cases of flu recorded in Galway last week, showing that influenza is on an upward trajectory in the area.
Older people or those with long-term health conditions, children aged two to 17 years, healthcare workers, and pregnant women should get vaccinated, it recommends.
The Department of Public Health and the HSE West is concerned about the low vaccine uptake in the community amid the increase in flu cases and hospital admissions. It says vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others from flu and Covid-19. To date, fewer than 50 per cent of people aged over 60 in the west and north-west region have been vaccinated against these viruses. However, this is a long way short of the HSE's 75 per cent influenza vaccine uptake target for those aged 65.
Public health consultant Dr Anthony Breslin is urging people to play their part in preventing the circulation of these infectious illnesses. "Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others from flu and Covid-19. We are urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and Covid-19 as soon as possible. The vaccines can stop infection, and severe illness, and prevent transmission to vulnerable people."
The health authority stresses that vaccines are safe, effective, and free for eligible groups. Flu and Covid-19 vaccines can be given at the same time and are available from many HSE clinics and from participating GPs and pharmacies. To check which vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie, or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist.
What is flu?
A highly contagious viral infection, it infects people's lungs and upper airways. While most will recover quickly, some people become seriously ill or develop life-threatening complications. Flu affects people of all ages and is usually spread by breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes that contain the virus.
What are the symptoms?
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- A sudden high temperature of 38 degrees or above
- Aches and pains
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Aifficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms of flu are similar for children. But they can also get pains in their ears and seem to be less active.
Complications from flu
People aged 60 and older who get flu are at a higher risk of serious illness, along with those who have long term health conditions or whose immune systems are compromised.
You may be at risk of complications if you:
- Are aged 65 or older
- Are pregnant
- Have a long-term medical condition
- Are aged two to 17 years
Flu can also cause some existing conditions to worsen. These include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD ), and heart failure.
Differences between cold and flu
While cold and flu symptoms are similar, flu tends to be more severe.
Cold: appears gradually
Flu: appears quickly within a few hours
Cold: mainly affects your nose and throat
Flu: affects more than just your nose and throat
Cold: makes you feel unwell,
Flu: makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal.
How to treat flu at home
There are some things you can do to help ease your symptoms and get better soon.
These include:-
• Getting plenty of rest and sleep
• Staying warm
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains. Your pharmacist can advise you on over-the-counter medicines that will help.
• Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Staying indoors
• Not smoking
How to avoid spreading flu
Flu is highly infectious and is easily spread to other people. You are more likely to give it to others in the first five days of your illness. The virus spreads through coughs and sneezes and can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds ) with warm water and soap. Dry your hands thoroughly afterwards.
• Use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
• Bin used tissues as quickly as possible
• Avoid all unnecessary contact with others
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands because this helps spread the virus
• Clean surfaces and frequently-touched household items regularly. Flu and other respiratory viruses can live on some surfaces for long periods. Cleaning or disinfecting these surfaces can help restore a healthy, germ-free environment.
• open your windows. Increased ventilation is considered helpful in reducing flu transmission. Research has indicated that it can be reduced significantly if the ventilation rate in a closed space is doubled or trebled. Therefore, adequate ventilation with outdoor air is recommended in all settings to reduce the spread of influenza and other respiratory infections.
Could it be Covid-19?
Flu and Covid-19 can be very similar. It could be Covid-19 if you have:
• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• A loss or change in your sense of smell or taste
Contact your pharmacist
Pharmacists can give you advice on treatments for flu and recommend remedies. Avoid any that contain paracetamol if you are already taking it. Remember, that antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as flu, they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Contact your GP urgently if:
• You are worried about your baby or child's symptoms
• You are aged 65 or older
• You are pregnant
• You have a long-term medical condition such as diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney, or neurological disease
• You have a weakened immune system because you are receiving chemotherapy or have HIV, for example
• Your symptoms do not improve after seven days
Source: the HSE
