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

Is it possible to catch the flu from someone who has just had the flu jab? My mum is getting and then coming round for tea the next day. Can. She give my family the flu? Xx

Prevention is better than cure, so what advice would you have to prevent catching a flu in the first place?

I have heard that nasal is much more effective than jab... Why is this?

Also, if you were rationing flu jabs, who would be your priorities, and who needs it less out of the groups who get an invitation from their surgery currently?

How long should immunised children stay away from immune suppressed people?

Does the jab hurt??

I've never had the flu. Am I just lucky or are there genetic/environmental factors which make you more susceptible to catching it?

What are the actual odds of a healthy adult catching the flu? Compared to say, getting a throat/ear infection, which in my experience happens about once in 2/3 years.

When given to children, is the flu vaccine more for the benefit of the child, or the elderly population? Why is there not very much information about its effectiveness in children for the public to see?

Realistically, apart from feeling grim, whats the risk to a healthy adult of having flu?

I'm a great believer in vaccination and always make sure I get a flu shot every year. My little one gets his through school, which is great, but I find it frustrating that my 15YO DTs can't have one as they're too old for the school programme and too young to get one privately. They're in their GCSE years now so a few weeks out of action with flu could be really damaging. Why can't they get vaccinated?

I’d be interested to know the differences between a cold and flu. People often talk about having flu, but it seems it’s often just a cold, so there seems to be a lot of misconceptions out there around it

A doctor told me that if you are lying in bed sick and there was a £50 note on the end of the bed - if you could pick it up, you've got a cold - if you just left it there, it's flu.

Are there any areas of the country which have consistently low rates of flu? And if so, what can be learnt to help prevention in areas where it tends to be rife?

Would you recommend that I pay for a private flu jab. I am looking after my two year old granddaughter and take her to toddler group etc. I’m not entitled to one yet under the NHS.

As an oldie, I remember the old public information films reminding us to wash our hands, get our vaccinations, not sneeze over everyone, etc. I can still remember the advice (even some of the jingles ) - it was drummed into us! Would it be a good idea to get some new ones made?

My little one is turning 2 at the beginning of December. I have recently read about the flu vaccine that 2 year olds can have which is a nasal spray. Will my little one be offered this when she turns two or is it a case of me going to the doctors and asking for it?

How do you get accurate flu figures when people will be too ill to leave their homes? Ie is the problem far worse than people think?

Is there any reason for a healthy adult or teenager not to have the flu jab?

Can the flu develop into croup?

Is there any benefit in taking garlic supplements?

Is it true that burnt toast and BBQ food can protect you from flu?

Why are children able to get the flu vaccination as a nasal spray when babies do not?

Why do diabetics need the flu jab?

I'm wondering how likley another pandemic is that wipes out millions?

Are there any side effects from having the flu nasal spray?
And also would it be effective for adults who are needle phobic?