Got any questions about flu? Ask GP and broadcaster, Dr Rosemary Leonard! chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

As winter draws in, it’s crucial to look after ourselves, our families and our little ones. Flu in particular can be a threat at this time of year. Despite the flu being a fairly common illness, its causes, symptoms and remedies can cause some confusion.

With that being said, GP and broadcaster, Dr Rosemary Leonard is here to answer your flu queries and questions. Whether you have questions about the flu vaccination, symptoms in younger children or want to know more about the flu remedies that are out there, Dr Rosemary is here to help.

Dr. Rosemary Leonard, GP and broadcaster, said: “Young children’s bodies can find it hard to cope with flu, so it is especially important to protect them with the vaccine. The nasal spray is a quick, effective and painless alternative to needles.

Once ill, children also tend to spread infection more than adults. The vaccine helps to reduce the spread of flu to other more vulnerable family members, such as grandparents.”

Post any questions you have about the flu on the thread below and we’ll choose 20 for Dr. Rosemary to answer and then post a link to the responses as soon as possible. Everyone who posts their questions will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Here is some information about Dr Rosemary Leonard:
Rosemary has been the resident doctor on BBC Breakfast, and writes a weekly column for the Daily Express and Sunday Express Magazine. She is also the Medical editor and feature writer for Woman and Home magazine. She is still a practising doctor, working as the senior partner at a practice in south London. She has worked as the national GP representative on the Committee on Safety of Medicines, been a member of the Human Genetics Commission and a non- executive Director of the Health protection Agency. She trained in medicine at Cambridge University, where she was awarded double first class honours. She was awarded an M.B.E. for her services to healthcare in 2004, and was awarded ‘Health Advice Columnist of the Year’ in 2016.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&C’s apply

[FizzySmiles]

Just realised its closed 🙈

[FizzySmiles]

What are the chances of a healthy child catching the flu if they didn't have the vaccine?

[Vonklump]

In the OP you mention posting a link to the answers. When will the link come up?

[EllieMumsnet]

Congratulations to @del2929 for winning the £300 voucher!

[relaxitllbeok]

Argh, in what year

[relaxitllbeok]

In year do you guess a universal 'flu vaccination will finally become available, replacing these annual ones?

[Faalaa]

How would a cold affect an 8 week old? My daughter has been vomiting and and sneezed and coughed and sneezed a fair bit.

[iVampire]

I am newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia. I’d paid to have a flu jab a few days before diagnosis and the start of treatment.

How likely is it that the flu jab will have taken adequately, given the double whammy of CML and the drugs?

As I guess there’s no answer to that other than there being a distinct possibility it hasn’t worked, what else can I do to avoid the flu?

All my cohabitants have had (injected/dead) immunisation in the last week

[SimoneOfHouseDavies]

Regarding the vaccine, I've been told by several health care professionals including a GP that the vaccine is a waste of time as the flu virus is mutating constantly and actually we may find that the flu becomes vaccine resistant. I was also advised that although flu is an incredibly unpleasant illness, with the right care and ensuring proper hydration, it really shouldn't be deadly for the vast majority of people, except for the very, very weak. Suggesting the vaccine is unnecessary and actually may do more harm if the virus becomes vaccine resistant. What is your take on this?

[Jayjayharrychops]

Are the nasal drops option of the flu jab as effective as the injection. Also, my son who is 14 is asthmatic & although offered I have never given him a flu jab as he has never had flu. Would his immune system now prevent the likelihood of him getting flu & would you recommend giving him the flu jab anyway?

[Falconhoof1]

Why can't adults have the nasal vaccine?

[Dangermouse80]

Do all school age (reception) really need the vaccine if they are otherwise fit and healthy?

[Popcornandbuttons]

Is it possible for adults to have the nasal spray instead of the jab? Is it as effective?

[Callamia]

If a child isn't able to have the flu spray in future (because of possible allergic reaction this year), what are the alternatives? Can they have the same injection as I get in future?

[Hairq]

I'm really worried about flu this year as it's predicted to be bad because Australia etc had a bad strain this year. Is looking at their stats an effective at if predicting our fly season or is it speculation?

[AVT5]

is it better to have a nasal spray or jab? or does it depend on age to which is more effective?

[malisa]

The nasal spray - For what age child is suitable to use and are there any side effects?

[Helsbells68]

Why is it that when one person in the house gets a really bad cold or the flu not everyone else catches it from them. Is it just pure luck or how healthy you are?

[madeyemoodysmum]

Helenscresennt
My dd and myself have both had the pneumonia vaccine on the NHS asthma. but I believe you can have it done privately for about £70. Gives upto 20years protection.

[BlackeyedPetitsPois]

Why can I not get my nearly 2 year old vaccinated? Out of the whole family she is the one who in my opinion needs it the most!

The gp won't do it as she is under 2 years, even though they have prescribed her an inhaler for asthma. They say she isn't at risk because it's not a chronic condition for her.
I can't get her vaccinated privately as she is under 16.

The poor mite gets very poorly every time she picks up an infection - it goes straight to her chest.

I know the nasal spray vaccine isn't licensed for under 2's, but surely the jab could be administered in her case?!

[IceBearRocks]

DS8 gets jab as he is severely disabled. I am his carer do I get it, DD6 has asthma do gets it, DH has MS so he gets it!!! DS10 doesn't get it !!! Seem crazy that the rest of the family do! He's still putting the rest of us at risk!
Why not immunise as a family especially if severly disabled children are in the household?

[elizaco]

Can employers (eg hospital or school) insist their employees get a flu jab?

[HELENSCRESCENT]

my daughter was hospitalised woth pneumonia last year and id like to know if the flu jab protects again this? Thank you

[IceBearRocks]

We are a family of 5. DH has MS, DS10 has high functioning autism, DS8 has rare gene mutation and us severely disabled, DD6 has asthma.
I am DS8's carer ... I get flu jab, do dies DS8,:DH due to MS and DD6 as she has asthma. DS 10 despite his autism does not get the immunisation. The rest of the family do...surely he should get it too and we are protecting FH and DS8 ?
Flu could kill our family!

[ArgyMargy]

I'm in my 50s and have never had flu. None of my direct family have ever had flu. Should I have a flu jab?