Are you one of those people who still believes that the flu vaccine carries live flu viruses? Or that because you are fit and healthy you don't need it? Know other people like that? Then read on so we can separate the fact from the fiction....

Plus last week we received this mail into the flu email box Flu.CHFT@cht.nhs.uk

I just wanted to know exactly what the flu jab consists off and if they are any side effects that could occur.

Senior Nurse Carole Hallam replied:

"The flu vaccine this year contains three flu viruses strains expected to be the common strain circulating this winter. It is not a live vaccine therefore cannot give you flu. The vaccine triggers the development of antibodies and in some people they experience a headache, muscular pain and generally feeling unwell but these symptoms appear rare in our experience and can be relieved with common over the counter medicines. The most common side effect is some localised tenderness and redness around the injection site. We consider the symptoms minimal compared to the symptoms of flu."

Hit me with the facts about flu!

Healthy people don’t get seasonal flu

Yes they do! The reason we offer free flu jabs to colleagues is because anyone can pick up the virus. Generally, 15–20 per cent of the population gets flu each year – healthy people included. If you can catch flu, you can pass it on to those who are at more risk of serious illness, even if you don’t have symptoms yourself!

Having flu is just like having a heavy cold

A bad bout of flu is much worse than a heavy cold. Symptoms come on suddenly and sometimes severely. They include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, as well as a cough and sore throat. You're likely to spend two or three days in bed. If you get complications caused by flu, you could become seriously ill and have to go to hospital.

Having the flu vaccine gives you flu

No, it doesn't. The injected flu vaccine that is given to adults contains inactivated flu viruses, so it can't give you flu. Your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, but other reactions are very rare.

Flu can be treated with antibiotics

No, it can't. Viruses cause flu, and antibiotics only work against bacteria. You may be prescribed antiviral medicines to treat your flu. They do not cure flu, but they can make you less infectious to others and reduce the length of time you may be ill.

To be effective, antivirals have to be given within a day or two of your symptoms appearing.

Once you've had the flu vaccine, you're protected for life

No, you aren't. The viruses that cause flu can change every year, so you need a vaccination yearly that matches the new viruses. The vaccine usually provides protection for the duration of the flu season that year.

I'm pregnant, so I shouldn't have the flu jab because it will affect my baby

You should have the vaccine whatever stage of pregnancy you are in. If you're pregnant, you could get very ill if you get flu, which could also be bad for your baby. Having the jab can also protect your baby against flu after they're born and during the early months of life.

I've had the flu already this year so I don't need the vaccination

You could go on to catch another strain, so it's recommended you have the jab even if you've recently had flu. Also, what you thought was flu could have been something else.

Vitamin C can prevent flu

No, it can't. Many people think that taking daily vitamin C supplements will stop them getting flu, but there's no evidence to prove this.

See our intranet pages here. Don't forget to self-declare if you've had your vaccination outside the Trust (GP or supermarket for example). Your name will be entered into our prize draw and you could win £50 of Hight Street vouchers - just in time for Christmas!

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