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

339 replies

EllieMumsnet · 26/10/2017 14:09

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

Got any questions about flu? Ask GP and broadcaster, Dr Rosemary Leonard!  chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
TorNayDoh · 31/10/2017 20:40

Is there anything else you can do, apart from get the vaccine, to reduce the chances of getting flu? For example, Echinacea supplements, Vitamin C etc?

baconbap · 31/10/2017 21:27

doesn't the flu virus mutate so quickly that the flu jab becomes ineffective?

Gill81uk · 31/10/2017 21:37

Why does it take so long to get the vaccines into schools? It is almost November and my children still haven't been vaccinated and I know of some people who have already had flu.

babyloi · 31/10/2017 22:50

Why is the vaccine only offered to a small age range of young children and is there a good reason to pay to get it for children outside of this age range?

KittyKat88 · 31/10/2017 23:25

My children get the nasal spray every year. Can they still be carriers of the infection even if they are protected, and what % of risk is for me or my DH to catch the flu from them?

WheresTheCoffee · 31/10/2017 23:25

Once the first signs of flu present themselves..is there anything I can do to reduce the severity or length of the bout?

JayJay1874 · 31/10/2017 23:53

do oyu recommend we all ask for a flu jab or is it only for the more vulnerable members of society?

Lydia30 · 01/11/2017 00:21

I've got a 12 year old who is home educated. She has mild asthma and has been hospitalised a couple of times (less than a day each time) due to chest infections. In your opinion should I be asking about the flu jab for her?

Bsummers · 01/11/2017 00:54

Should healthy adults get vaccinated?

Tonkatol · 01/11/2017 01:29

I understand that the nasal spray is given to young children. What age does it change to an injection and am I right in thinking that only very young children are vaccinated unless there is a medical condition that warrants a flu jab? If so, why aren't all children vaccinated?

TiggersAngel7774 · 01/11/2017 03:27

Why do I always feel so rotten after the flu jab

Emmamaryd · 01/11/2017 07:27

Do you have any tips for avoiding the flu? Or is it just a case of being hygienic?

greensmith68 · 01/11/2017 08:08

my husband has the flu jab every year because of his illness and i have one because i'm his carer but my 16 year old son and 15 year old foster child can't have them why is this

lorrainej162 · 01/11/2017 08:24

Why can't the nasal spray be given to adults?

Dan35 · 01/11/2017 08:45

Is it a good idea to get the flu jab? How does this vary by age - should kids get it? What about the elderly?

Fekko · 01/11/2017 08:52

What about the new pneumonia jab? Just for small kids, elderly and those with weak immune systems?

Quietvoiceplease · 01/11/2017 09:19

My question is around flu myths and what to do about them, as I fear if affects both the seriousness with which people treat flu, and the take-up of vaccination. I have had flu once and never want it again. It was unbearably awful. I have my jab every year as I have a pre-existing condition. However perfectly sane, intelligent people I know frequently say they've had the 'day' off with the 'flu' (but spent it internet shopping or on mumsnet), or for example my clever teacher friend who thought she'd come down with a cold because her students had had their flu jab that week so the "flu virus is in the air and I've obviously caught it mildly".

mandes1 · 01/11/2017 09:36

I honestly don't think I've ever had the flu! A cold, definitely and recently chest infections. I have always found the jab unnecessary, considering I am fairly healthy - do you think its still best to have the jab?

JBH316 · 01/11/2017 09:42

Can taking supplements like Echinacea actually prevent you from catching flu in the first place? And if you do catch it, is there any way to reduce the severity of it? I caught it for the first time earlier this year and was floored by it - I was signed off work for 2 weeks. Once I realised it was more than a cold, I tried consuming my body weight in vitamins but didn't really feel any benefit.

jrobbs · 01/11/2017 10:09

I'm travelling overseas with work and was wondering whether a flu jab here will also immunise me in other countries; do the strains differ vastly ?

bex552 · 01/11/2017 10:23

Is the nasal spray or vaccine safe for egg allergy sufferers? I keep finding conflicting information and my 4 year old is allergic.

srobbo71 · 01/11/2017 10:49

My husband has Ulcerative Colitis and takes medication to control the condition. Should he have regular flu jabs?

MAT12 · 01/11/2017 11:06

What can i give to my dd to help build her immune system against flu as she has asthma and is allergic to egg so the flu jab is out of the question

sarahw2 · 01/11/2017 11:12

Can my children be vaccinated and how would I go about having this done? They are 12 and 10.

NextInLine · 01/11/2017 12:02

My son has an egg allergy, it is not sever enough to cause anaphylaxis, but he does get hives and wheezy. Last year they gave him the flu vaccination (without checking if he has allergies Hmm) and was wheezy for a few days.
Are the risks of him not having it worth him suffering because of his allergies? Should he have it or not, seeing as though his allergy is not severe?