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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:
Sezza110 · 28/10/2017 19:57

Is there any point in getting vaccinated

beckyinman · 28/10/2017 20:11

What can be done to prevent cold and flus in day to day life if I don't want to get a jab (I'm terrified of needles)

BellaVida · 28/10/2017 20:24

How many strains of flu are there each year? Presumably the flu jab gives immunity against just one strain, so how much does it actually decrease you likelihood of getting flu?

CarbyDeadUn · 28/10/2017 20:25

What is the difference between the nasal spray, that small children are offered, and the injection?

And is the injection that pregnant women get the same as everyone else?

sm2012 · 28/10/2017 20:30

I have heard that the flu vaccine itself can you give you the flu, I know you can get slight symptons from it but can some people actually contract the flu by having the vaccine?

ButterflyOfFreedom · 28/10/2017 20:34

Is there any difference at all in having the jab compared to the nasal spray?
Ie. Any possible difference in side effects, effectiveness etc. ???

Hopezibah · 28/10/2017 20:55

Our whole family has to have the flu jab whilst my daughter is immuno-suppressed on methotrexate for JIA. She cannot have the live vaccine (i.e. nasal spray). I wondered what happens when she eventually comes off methotrexate - Should she continue to have the flu vaccine by jab, should she have nasal spray or not have it at all. She is currently age 5. More awareness would be appreciated amongst medical profession for those having nasal spray to ensure it happens after flu jabs are done for the most vulnerable who need the dead (jab) vaccine. Presumably contact with someone who has had the live vaccine could be harmful until such time as an immunosupressed child has had the dead vaccine?

cheekychicken24 · 28/10/2017 20:56

How long are you infectious for if you have flu? Most of us can't afford to be off work for any longer than necessary.

Yaracuy · 28/10/2017 21:02

I heard of contraindications of the flu vaccine. Is epilepsy one of them?
Or are the epilepsy meds ?

Vonklump · 28/10/2017 21:22

What's the rationale behind the primary school vaccination schedule? I don't understand why only half of junior school children are eligible for the vaccination. It seems to defeat the point of herd immunity.

And I also don't understand why it isn't made more obvious reception aged children are eligible for the vaccination at the GP. It would be very easy to send this information out with infant school vaccination material.

holey · 28/10/2017 21:56

My children are at secondary school and were not given flu vaccines when they were younger as it was not routinely offered as far as I'm aware. None of them have had flu and I've only ever had it twice and I'm in my mid forties (the second time was over New Year 2000)! I know it is truly awful if you do get it but is the vaccine really that necessary for otherwise healthy people?

mummykate87 · 28/10/2017 22:11

My little one has been offered a flu vaccine at 11 months but the NHS website says she doesn't need it until she's 2. I'm confused, should I follow the website advice or what my GP has offered?

WhosTakingDeHorseToFrance · 28/10/2017 22:15

Is the nasal spray vaccine only used for kids? Do adults need to have an injection?

honeyandginger48 · 28/10/2017 22:17

I had the flu jab a couple of years ago and felt ill afterwards. Was this a coincidence or can the flu jab give you flu like symptons?

K3rry · 28/10/2017 22:25

can you tell me what ingredients are in the flu spray?

pfcpompeysarah · 28/10/2017 22:49

When children are off school with flu, at what point is it safe for them to return, when the fever goes or when the symptoms go? The school always say that children should be in school far earlier than I think it is necessary to be taking them back, and it would be good to have some clarification on when it is safest for them to be back around others.

LastAnni · 28/10/2017 23:23

Why does the UK still use nasally administered influenza vaccines when they have been proven to be so ineffective in the US that they have been withdrawn from the schedule there?

freefan · 28/10/2017 23:24

I would love to know how the doctors determine what disabilities are eligible for a free jag and which do not? Surely everyone with a disability should get one?

lhlee62 · 28/10/2017 23:38

When is the best time to have the nasal vaccine? Last year the school gave them in December which I think is rather late. This year it is the 30th Nov which is only fractinally earlier.

pestov · 29/10/2017 00:34

My daughter turns 2 in February. Will she still be able to get the vaccine or has she missed out for this year?

mollymoo818 · 29/10/2017 00:36

I would like to know if as a healthy adult I should have the flu jab or is it better to let my body fight off infections on its own?

voyager50 · 29/10/2017 00:43

To help with hydration when children have the flu is is better to give them something to boost their energy too like Lucozade or is plain water better?

glennamy · 29/10/2017 01:42

I've heard that by the time the Flu has reached us here it could have changed and the the vaccine will not cover for these, is this true?

Esmeralda78 · 29/10/2017 05:03

What's the difference between the jab and spray. Just wondering why my husband has the jabs but my children have the spray.

Willowkins · 29/10/2017 09:33

Another chemo-related question: Should we make sure our children are not given the nasal spray flu vaccine this year as their Dad is having chemo?