Make it a flu-free winter
05 October 2005

'If you knew about flu, you'd get the jab' is the message from the Department of Health (DH), as we approach the season of colds and viruses.

The flu vaccine is free to people who are particularly at risk from the virus, including people with asthma, diabetes, chronic heart, chest or kidney complaints, lowered immunity and those aged 65 or over.

Colds and flu trigger symptoms in many people who have asthma, and while it is almost impossible to avoid catching the common cold, having a jab can help to prevent the flu virus taking hold.

'Prevention is of course the key,' said Asthma UK's Chief Medical Adviser Professor Martyn Partridge. 'And as is urged by the Department of Health's campaign, we recommend that older people, particularly those over 65, and people who have severe asthma attacks or long-term, troublesome asthma, have the flu vaccination.'

Flu is highly infectious: according to the DH, 100,000 flu particles can be projected into the air with just one sneeze. And given that a sneeze travels at 80 miles per hour and can reach distances of 30 feet away, it's hardly surprising that at least 10% of the population develops flu each year.

Autumn is the best time to have a jab, before flu begins to circulate. It is also important to have a vaccination every year to protect you against the latest strains of the virus, which is constantly mutating. Flu jabs are available from your doctor's surgery.

'The flu vaccine has been widely used for many years and is both safe and effective with very few side effects,' assured Professor Partridge. 'Apart from having the flu vaccine there are other measures that people can take to reduce the effects of colds and viruses on their asthma. Following a written personal asthma action plan and knowing when and how to adjust their treatment if asthma worsens after an infection is just one such way.

'People with asthma should contact their doctor or practice nurse and ask for a personal asthma action plan to be filled out for them,' he advised.