Please or to access all these features

Sponsored Q&As

This topic is for Q & As run by Mumsnet. If you'd like to sponsor a Q & A, please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
allthingsred · 01/11/2017 12:12

With the flu having so many different strains. How effective is the flu jab? Aren't you still at risk of catching a different strain to the one your protected from?

FrenchieMum2Be · 01/11/2017 12:32

How effective is the flu vaccine? Isn't it a bit of a gamble depending on which strains will hit this winter?

Hmumto3 · 01/11/2017 13:02

Why do nurseries not offer my 3 year old a vaccine as standard I have got her vaccinated at the docs however. My 5 yr old son has had it ar school. My 15 month old cannot have it why is this

xxxxclarexxxx · 01/11/2017 13:36

What is the age range for children to receive it? My son is like me and picks up every cough, cold and flu in the winter but never been offered it for him. Just wondered if it could save him getting ill xx

spanglisher · 01/11/2017 13:37

I understand there are different strains of flu, and that you only get vaccinated against one strain. Can you explain more about this?

rachelbonness · 01/11/2017 13:42

Is a healthy diet proven to protect you against the flu?

BGcat14 · 01/11/2017 13:49

How is flu spread? Airbourne or by germs spread through touch etc..?

Hatethewordhun · 01/11/2017 13:53

Why does flu kill so many every winter?

Sloppychops · 01/11/2017 13:59

What is the best way to prevent my child catching the flu?

CatRash · 01/11/2017 14:32

Is it the flu or just a common cold - how can I tell?

sofieellis · 01/11/2017 14:57

Are there any risks associated with the flu vaccine?

Sleepysausage · 01/11/2017 15:07

My 2 year old doesn't qualify for a flu vaccine this year's as she was 2 after 31August. Can I pay for her to have a vaccine privately?

VickyRsuperstar · 01/11/2017 15:53

I heard that the nasal vaccine has some risk with live virus shedding for quite a while after it's administered and I heard it wasn't as effective as a jab. Personally I'd prefer my kids to have the jab if it's more effective - do we as parents get a choice or is only the nasal vaccine offered?

Greendress123 · 01/11/2017 16:43

My nana lives with us and is elderly. I got a jab from the nhs as a carer, and dd2 got one at school. Should I get one at the gp for 10yo dd1 in order to protect nana (and of course dd1 herself)?

modernmillie1 · 01/11/2017 17:09

When is the best time for adults to get the flu jab?

oldcrownie · 01/11/2017 18:18

I would like to know if you can catch flu from a child who has just had the nasal spray? Or is the dose so small that this is impossible?

StillCantDecideOnaUsername · 01/11/2017 18:25

Do adults have to have the flu jab every year or does the immunity last for a few years?

blue25 · 01/11/2017 18:54

Is it worth getting the flu vaccine aged 41. I've never had flu, but never had the vaccine.

Lisapaige24 · 01/11/2017 19:04

I haven’t been able to have the flu vaccine this year as it contains egg and I have an allergy to them is there a flu vaccine I can have that doesn’t contain eggs as in the past there has been but this year they all seem to contain egg ?
I work in health care and am strongly recommended to have it as I have had the flu twice which both times I was hospitalised

sarsar123 · 01/11/2017 19:52

Do you think people working with children should have the flu jab? Will it keep in preventing the coughs and colds?

molly57 · 01/11/2017 19:57

I did not have a flu vaccine last year and had multiple colds and flu symptoms for several months afterwards. I have had this years flu vaccine about a month ago and already I am on my 2nd severe cold with flu symptoms. Did my break last year decrease my resistance?

JKR123 · 01/11/2017 20:05

Can breastfeeding mothers have the flu jab?

Dessallara · 01/11/2017 20:42

Is it true that if you have flu vaccination once you need to have it every year?

Jade5093 · 01/11/2017 21:17

Why is there so many types of flu vaccine, low egg content, under 6m, nasel, standard etc can't they just make a one suits all?!

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 01/11/2017 21:57

About 18 months ago my then 10 yo dd contracted flu and ended up in PICU on a ventilator for two days which was obviously terrifying. My question is why are all children not offered the vaccine? My dd was otherwise fit and healthy so wasn't eligible for the vaccine.