We are working closely with NHS Leicester Cityto raise awareness about seasonal flu.
What is Seasonal Flu?
Seasonal flu normally happens in the winter months. It's a virus that can easily spread from person to person.
Over the last few weeks there has been a rise in the number of cases of flu like illness in the community, which is to be expected at this time of year.
What are the symptoms?
If you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms, you may have flu:
• Unusual tiredness
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath or cough
• Loss of appetite
• Aching muscles
• Diarrhoea or vomiting.
Why should you vaccinate
Flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus. It changes every year as does the vaccine to fight it, so it is important that those at risk protect themselves every year.
Getting the free jab helps protect you and your loved ones.
Who is most at risk?
Four groups have been identified as being most at risk:
• Pregnant women and their baby
• People with long term conditions which can be anything from diabetes to asthma, heart disease and multiple sclerosis
• Carers, and
• People over 65.
We are urging people at risk of flu to get protected and have the vaccine.
What to do if you have flu-like symptoms
If individuals in at risk groups develop symptoms consistent with flu, or anyone has symptoms which persist or become more severe, they should seek medical advice from NHS Directon 0845 4647 or visit their GP or a local walk-in centre.
How to protect you and your family
There are other ways people can protect themselves and those around them.
Good hand hygiene - the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it' technique - reduces the spread of germs. This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning hands as soon as possible with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Ensure that your medicine cabinet is well stocked for the winter with items such as Paracetamol, cough linctus, sore throat remedy. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
Drink lots of liquids (like water and fat-free or low-fat milk).
Need more info? Download our leaflets:
Other websites with advice and help:
