23/10/2017 - Permalink

Long term health condition? – protect yourself from flu and stay well this winter

Related topics: Adult social care / Health

Health organisations across Shropshire are urging those with underlying health conditions to stay well this winter by protecting themselves against flu.

Nurse promoting a flu jab

Flu jab campaign

The flu jab is free of charge for people who have a long-term health condition such as: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), bronchitis or emphysema, diabetes; heart, kidney or liver disease, or have suffered a stroke.

Flu on top of health conditions like these can easily develop into something very serious and could cause serious complications such as pneumonia. The quick and simple flu vaccination will help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and even death amongst those most at risk.

Dr Irfan Ghani, Shropshire Council’s public health consultant, said:

“Flu is a highly infectious disease and can lead to serious complications, particularly for those who are older or those who have a long-term health condition like COPD, bronchitis or emphysema, diabetes; heart, kidney or liver disease, or have suffered a stroke. Flu on top of health conditions like these can easily develop into something very serious and could land you in hospital.

“Please help yourself stay well and take up your free flu vaccine through your GP or pharmacist.  It’s free because you need it.”

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, and chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board, added:

“Even if your long-term health condition is well managed and you feel fit and healthy, I would still urge take up the free flu vaccine. This will help you remain well. Don’t put it off, speak to your GP or pharmacist today.”

For more information on how to stay well this winter, visit https://www.nhs.uk/staywell/. 

Further information

  • There are approximately 6.3 million people under the age of 65 with a long-term health condition
  • Approximately 8,000 deaths occur annually due to flu related complications. Of these deaths, it is estimated that around 2,500 are people with a heart disease and 3,500 people with a respiratory disease.
  • Chronic liver disease can affect the immune system and therefore people with this condition may be less able to fight off flu. Those with chronic liver disease are approximately 48 times more likely to die if they develop flu than individuals who have no other underlying health condition.
  • Chronic respiratory diseases make people more susceptible to the flu virus damaging their lungs. They are seven times more likely to die from flu than individuals without an underlying health condition.
  • People with chronic heart disease are approximately 11 times more likely to die if they catch flu than individuals who have no other underlying health condition. There were just approximately 7,500 more flu vaccinations amongst people with chronic heart disease in 2016/17 compared to 2015/16.
  • Chronic renal disease can affect the immune system and therefore people with this condition may be less able to fight off flu. Those with chronic renal disease are approximately 19 times more likely to die if they catch flu than individuals who have no other underlying health condition.
  • Flu is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, mouth, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs). It is a highly infectious illness which spreads rapidly in closed communities and even people with mild or no symptoms can infect others.
  • Flu is characterised by a fever, chills, headache, aching muscles and joint pain and fatigue. For most healthy people, flu symptoms can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you have to stay in bed and rest until you get better.
  • Flu is caught through droplets of saliva that spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then be breathed in by other people or they can be picked up by touching surfaces where the droplets have landed.