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20 October 2011 03:15
Health
Helping you stay out of hospital
Last winter people in 'at risk' groups were 11 times more likely to die from seasonal flu than people with no underlying health problems.
The NHS in the East Midlands is campaigning for more people with a long term condition, such as asthma, heart disease or multiple sclerosis, to get the jab.
Dr Tony Hill, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Lincolnshire said:
"People with long term conditions are used to managing their health and taking precautions, however many do not consider flu to be a risk. Getting flu when you already have a long term condition can lead to serious complications and tragically in some cases death, but these can be prevented by having the free vaccine. Unlike other medication for long term conditions, the flu jab is an annual one-off vaccine. It is a new vaccine each year to fight the flu virus which also changes every year. So please don’t underestimate flu. Take time to get the free jab at your local GP surgery and help protect yourself."
Each winter East Midlands Ambulance Service experiences an increase in the number emergency 999 calls received and many calls for help are from people suffering from flu.
Matthew Cooper, Clinical Quality Manager and Paramedic for the Lincolnshire division of East Midlands Ambulance Service said:
"Getting flu when you already have a long term condition can be devastating. Unlike people with no underlying health condition who can treat themselves at home, often people suffering from flu with a long term condition may be far more unwell, potentially resulting in admission to hospital for treatment. This can be very upsetting for the patient and their loved ones because these patients may have already spent a great deal of time in a health setting. I urge anyone with a long term health condition to get a flu jab to reduce the risk of them being admitted to hospital."
There are additional ways people can protect themselves and those around them. Good hand hygiene - the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ technique – reduces the spread of germs. This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning hands as soon as possible with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel.
There are four groups of people most at risk from flu – pregnant women; people with long term conditions; carers and people over 65 years.
Posters and information leaflets designed to bust flu myths and help educate people on the importance of getting the jab will be available at local GP surgeries, hospitals and clinics.
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