I am often amused by the various conversations I have with patients every year along the lines of  ‘I’m not going to have it this year because last year it gave me flu’, or  ‘I know this has never been an issue before, Doc, but I suddenly have this overwhelming needle phobia’, or ‘I have this really important thing that I need to do in the next few days, so I won’t have it today but I promise I will come back next week, and I know I said the same thing last year but this year I really mean it’.

In many ways these conversations are similar to the ones I have with my five year old about why it can’t possibly be bed time yet.  You know the ones – ‘My eyes won’t close’, ‘My books are making too much noise’ and (my favourite) ‘There’s a fox in my room and I’ve squashed him with the door, but could you please come and get rid of him for me’. All genuine events, I promise! And in case you misunderstand my intentions, I am not suggesting that people who appear to make excuses are being childish.  I am simply entertained by the way that a straightforward injection can provoke such a wide range of reactions from so many people. If you are wondering, the ‘fox’ was safely delivered to the back garden………….

Anyway, I digress.  If you are one of the people for who the flu jab is recommended then I would, er, recommend it!

Who Should Have a Vaccine ?

A vaccination is recommended if you are someone affected by any of the following:

You are aged over 65

You have heart disease

You have significant, ongoing problems with your lungs

You have a long term kidney problem

You have liver disease

You have diabetes requiring insulin treatment

You have a weakened immune system

You live long term in a care home

You are the main carer for someone who would be unable to cope if you caught flu

Why have a vaccine ?

It is not an absolute guarantee, but is 70-80% effective against the influenza virus. If you do develop flu like symptoms like a high temperature, muscle aches and a cough later on in the flu season it is more likely to be an ordinary cold.  If you are one of the few who does suffer from flu despite a vaccination then you are likely to have a much milder form of the illness and benefit from a lower risk of complications such as pneumonia.

Are there Side Effects?

OK, so you might feel a bit under the weather for a couple of days, but nothing compared to the horror that is full blown flu.  I actually agree with my aforementioned patients who ‘have something important to do in the next few days’ and so delay it for a short period of time.

Local Flu Clinics

By the time you read this in early November most of the designated flu vaccination clinics will be finished.  However, I am reliably informed that if you cannot attend the flu clinics then you can make an appointment with the practice nurse outside of the clinic times instead.

If you would like a flu vaccine but you do not fit into any of the categories listed above then you may find the staff are reluctant to vaccinate you at your surgery.  You could have one privately, for instance at the Independent General Practice in the centre of Cardiff.  You can contact them on 029 2064 7308 to find out more.

If You Do Have Flu...

If you are an otherwise fit, healthy adult and you are sure that it is flu that you are suffering from, put your feet up, drink plenty of fluids, take paracetamol and wait for the nightmare to be over.  If you are very young, getting a bit older or have other health problems, then it is worth contacting your doctor. Antibiotics are no use for straightforward flu and are more likely to add to your problems by upsetting your stomach than they are to help you. Antivirals are recommended sometimes if there are sufficient numbers of people in the country with symptoms of flu.  We arrived at that point briefly last year. If you have any doubts about what to do it is worth a quick call to your surgery.  But let’s be optimistic – here’s to a happy, flu free winter!