Seasonal Flu

Seasonal influenza (flu)

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory disease, which can be more serious than a common cold. Symptoms include headache, high fever, cough, sore throat and severely aching muscles and joints. 

For most people influenza is just a nasty experience, but for some it can lead to illnesses that are more serious such as bronchitis (chest infection) and pneumonia. These illnesses may require treatment in hospital and can be life threatening especially in the elderly, people with long term conditions such as asthma and people with weakened immune systems. 

Did you know... 

• Respiratory viruses like colds and flu are spread by droplets from coughs and sneezes.
• One person infected with flu can easily spread the virus simply by breathing.
• Cold and flu viruses travel through the air from a cough or sneeze and get into the body through the mouth or eyes.
• Some droplets are invisible but can still be inhaled through the mouth or passed through the eyes.
• One sneeze can travel as far as 5 metres.
• You can get flu simply by touching a surface like a phone or door handle that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has flu.
• Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally survive on surfaces for between two and eight hours.
• A person can spread flu one day before he or she falls ill. 
• Adults can continue to pass the virus to others for another 3 to 7 days after symptoms start.
• Antibiotics will not cure flu.
• 5% - 20% of the population gets flu.
• More than 20,000 people are hospitalised from flu complications 
• About 3,000 People die from flu each year.
• Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold or flu.

What YOU should do to avoid it...  

• Have a flu jab!!
• Wash your hand regularly and particularly before eating.
• Do not put your hands in your mouth unless they have been washed.
• If you do get cold or flu or feel unwell, stay at home until your symptoms subside.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Eat a balanced and healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Related pages on this site

Swine fluImportant information from NHS Leeds about swine flu for people living in LeedsSeasonal flu in the over 65'sInformation about the NHS Leeds Public Health campaign aimed at reducing seasonal flu in the over 65 years age group.Other immunisationsInformation on immunisations supported by NHS Leeds to protect the health of local people

Related downloads

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