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

[Ethan260908]

Does the nasal spray have the same effectiveness as the old fashioned jab? Thanks

[littleme96]

If the nasal spray contains a live form of the virus, do the children that have had it "shed" and potentially pass the flu virus to others? If so, how long does that last for after being given the spray?

[shellywkd]

How do I know the difference between actual flu and a really bad virus? A lot of people say oh I have flu but usually only have a cold and it would be good to know which is which

[Sid98]

Do you need the flu jab or is it just a precaution

[dul4hw]

My son repeatedly suffers from a viral induced wheeze, is it safe for him to have the flu jab?

[gd2011]

With so many different strains of flu about, is it worth having a flu jab which presumably only protects against a small number of them?

[ThemisA]

I know that flu is a virus so does not respond to antibiotics but is it possible for the symptoms to become bacterial ie. a chest infection as a result of the flu and therefore on rare occasions require antibiotics?

[footdust]

Quite a fewf people I know say they will never have the flu jab again as it made them really ill - can the vaccine do that?

[xcxcsophiexcxc]

How many pregnant women have difficulties out of those who chose not to receive the flu vaccine ?

[mo3733]

i have under active thyroid. would the flu jab conflict with my medicine for ?

[amelia4levi]

is there a age of adult or child that is a more likely age to get the flu?

[emmav6]

the flu virus mutates so quickly, how confident are you the vaccine will be effective?

[itsmeexxx]

What does the flu jab actually contain?

[AnimalAddict]

For how long is the flu contagious for? :)

[ImGoingForATwix]

Does the flu vaccine offer protection for all strains of flu, or just against the one strain of flu that the experts predict will strike?

[vonniebab2]

Sometimes when Ive had my vaccination my arm tends to ache other times is does not what is the reason for this?

[TheSpottedZebra]

Apart from having the flu jab, and hand washing hygiene, is there anything I can do to lessen the likelihood of my family and I getting the flu?

[AuFinch]

My mother has an annual flu jab and she says she is usually a little ill after it - i understand that a jab contains a tiny amount of the virus so your immune system can kill it and recognise it if it gets in again - so when she is ill does that mean her immune system is not up to having the jab?

[Spices001]

If you’ve already had flu is it less likely to reoccur

[MSHGW]

What ways, in addition to vaccination, can people avoid catching or spreading the flu?

[Funkyferret]

What are the statistics for reducing serious illness or death from flu since the vaccinations were introduced?

[asuwere]

How long does the flu vaccine work for?

[thereinmadnesslies]

Like an earlier poster, I’d like to know how I can get a flu jab for my 11 year old son. Pharmacies are only allowed to vaccinate over 16s. I’m uncomfortable that my younger child had the nasal spray at school, and DH and I can pay for jabs but there doesn’t appear to be any way to protect him. I’d feel awful if he was very ill with flu when the rest of the family is ok. I’d also like to have him vaccinated to protect his very frail 93yr old grandmother.
I’m happy to pay - is there any way to solve this?

[sarah861421]

My husband has the flu jab every year and always has a "very bad cold" after. he calls it flu but its obviously not. The GP always says its coincident but this seems unlikely. why does this happen

[feefeegabor]

I am now a healthy fifty year old - would you suggest I get a flu jab? I've never had one before.