''There are simple statistical facts regarding Influenza epidemics which help us decide if we should immunise against this common disease.
George Quittner, 25 February 2002''
INFLUENZA is a miserable illness which causes many days off work and distress for a large number of people every year. It is quite different from other minor virus infections which cause coughs and colds. The Flu is characterised by generalised aches and pains, fevers and a variety of systemic symptoms. It often lasts more than a week and many people are washed out for some time after recovery.
A healthy young person will recover from the flu thanks to the body's natural immune defences. Elderly people or those with chronic illness are at risk of possibly fatal complications such as pneumonia.
Most people will catch a Flu virus once every few years. Unfortunately new strains of the virus keep cropping up each year ...so while we may become immune to the strain we had last year - It will not confer protection against the one we may catch a few years later. The Flu season peaks in winter in Australia.
The public health authorities have recognised that immunising all those people over 65 reduces other health costs associated with the Flu. Vaccine is available for free to this age group. Younger people may choose to be immunised if they wish.
Some people are convinced that they caught the Flu from the vaccine. In fact they were probably already brewing the illness at the time of immunisation. Others are disappointed to be struck down with the illness despite having been vaccinated. Like all vaccines, the take-up rate of Flu vaccine is 70 to 80%. Thus there remains a number of people who are still at risk. Even so, it is hoped that there is some partial immunity which will reduce the severity and duration of illness.
The main side effect is of soreness at the injection site. Some people have a mild illness with aches and pains. This is short lived and never as bad as the actual Flu.
It seems sensible to be protected if a person cannot afford to be stuck at home in bed because of study or work commitments. Many people just want to avoid the misery.
The latest Flu vaccine is available from our practice at the end of February/early March.