Influenza (or flu) is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract (that's your nose, mouth, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs).
Following infection flu has an incubation period - this can be from one to three days.
There are some telltale signs of having flu - sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain and fatigue. And it doesn't end there... You may also have a cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and diarrhoea.
For those people who are normally in good health flu is none to pleasant with recovert taking place within two to seven days.
But the risk of serious illness from flu is greater in children under six months, older people and those with underlying health problems.
How flu spreads
When someone infected with flu either sneezes or coughs small droplets land on all sorts of surfaces - door handles, cooking utensils, TV remote. These surfaces are then contaminated and, Hey Presto, flu is spread rapidly.
Who can have the flu jab in Lowestoft?
People with serious medical conditions:
It's also advisable for people living in long-stay residential care homes or those people that are the main carer for and older or disabled person in Lowestoft to have the flu vaccination.
For advice and to book your flu vaccination contact your local Lowestoft Doctors surgery.
