Flu is an acute, highly contagious respiratory infection affecting the nose, lungs and throat. Symptoms may at first appear the same as a common cold (such as a runny nose, sore throat and sneezing), but unlike colds (which come on slowly), flu symptoms typically start suddenly and are worse than they would be with a cold.
Symptoms of flu include fever, sore throat, aching muscles, eye pain, fatigue, runny nose, weakness, headache, shortness of breath, headache, a dry and persistent cough, and chills and sweats.
The infection can cause both mild and severe symptoms and, in some circumstances, it can be life-threatening. The majority of cases will improve on their own, but complications can occasionally arise that can be fatal.
At-risk groups include those over the age of 65, children under the age of two, people in long-term care, immunocompromised people, pregnant people and anyone with a body mass index of 40 or above. People with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease and kidney disease are also considered high risk.
The best way to go about preventing severe flu-related complications is to have the flu vaccine, which is available at Enimed pharmacies nationwide. This is available on the NHS for those who are eligible, but we are also able to administer it privately if required.
These vaccines are a safe and effective way of preventing the spread of flu. They take ten to 14 days to work and the best time to have them is in the autumn before flu season really starts. However, it is possible to have the vaccine at any time throughout the year.
It offers protection against all the main types of flu virus. There is a risk that you may still catch the flu but, if you do get it post-vaccination, your symptoms will likely be milder and resolve themselves more quickly. The vaccine can also help stop you from spreading infection to other people.
However, it’s also important that you take other steps to control the spread of infection. This includes washing your hands thoroughly and regularly, covering your mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, not touching your face and cleaning surfaces down regularly.
At Enimed Group, our pharmacies provide a range of different vaccinations, including the flu vaccine.
Our specialist pharmacists can administer the appropriate treatments, as well as providing a walk-in clinic service and up-to-date health advice for a range of different conditions. If you’d like to find out more about our range of services, get in touch with the team today.
