Flu & Vaccinations
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Flu & Vaccinations |
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For Travel Vaccines click link also for Child Immunisations & HPV vaccination. Flu Vaccination season winter 2011-2012 including Swine Flu The flu vaccine this year included the H1N1 strain (swine flu). Vaccination is advised for patients 'at risk'. If you are unsure if you fall into the at risk category please call the surgery for advice. We will be holding, as usual, a walk-in Flu Vaccination Clinic session from 9.00 - 12.30 Saturday 8th October in the Old School Hall. Please note this is only for patients registered with our practice. Patients not entitled to free vaccination who would like to be vaccinated should contact GP Care who can direct them to their nearest clinic. For more information, or to book an appointment, please call GP Care on 0117 970 8983 or alternatively email them at info@gpcare.org.uk and they will contact you. For information, the 'at risk' groups we recommend receive vaccination are: Over 65 Diabetes, Asthma (using oral steroids or a steroid inhaler), Stroke, Chronic Lung, Heart, Liver or Kidney disease. Patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, including chemotherapy and sole main Carers of vulnerable patients are also eligible. In addition Pregnant patients will be vaccinated against Pandemic flu by receiving Flu vaccination. Travellers to some parts of the world ie Africa are also advised to be vaccinated. Some other categories of disease are also eligible- if in doubt please ask. There is no charge for this. Most of these patients (excluding asthmatics & Carers) are also recommended to have Pneumonia vaccination - for the vast majority of patients this is a single vaccination ie no boosters needed. Patients Under 5 who are not in an 'At Risk' category will not be immunised this year.
Flu is
caused by a number of different types of influenza viruses.
The incubation period is typically 1-4 days
Infected adults are usually contagious from the day before to 5 days after
illness onset. Children are typically contagious for 7 days (although sometimes
longer)
Fever usually declines after 2 - 3 days and normally disappears by the 6th day.
Cough, weakness and fatigue can persist for 1-2 weeks (and up to 6 weeks.)
Antibiotics do not benefit most people with influenza but are sometimes needed
to treat secondary infections.
Home
Treatment
There
is little scientific evidence for most symptomatic and self-help treatment, but
experience suggests that some of the following may help, and are unlikely to
cause harm.
Treatment
of fever, myalgias (muscle pains) and headache with paracetamol or ibuprofen
Rest
Drink plenty of fluids Avoid smoking (including anyone in the house) Due to the number of different vaccines used we prefer to carry out all childhood vaccinations in dedicated time slots on Thursdays. Appointments are usually sent by post. If this presents particular problems for you please speak to a member of staff. Mid-teen booster vaccinations can be performed at any time. This changed with effect from 4th September 2006. Immunisations given at 2,3 & 4 months now include Pneumonia along with the usual components (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Hib and Meningitis C). There are now immunisations at 12 & 13 months to account for the relevant boosters (ie Pneumonia, Meningitis C & Hib), in addition to the usual MMR. The pre-school booster, which includes MMR, is usually carried out from age 3½ yrs. For children age 3 & 4 the booster will include a Hib/Meningitis C vaccination. There is now a vaccination programme for teenage girls to immunise against HP Virus which associates with increased risk of cancer of the cervix. This involves 3 injections over 6 months. Most of these are done in schools though are available through the surgery for those who have left school or miss a dose. If in doubt please ask for details. |
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