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

In response to those posters who asked where you can get the children the flu jab.

I got mine at a local travel vaccine clinic it cost £10 each child and it was over with in seconds they asked some medical questions but itwas all very quick and easy.

Do you have a simple way to explain to children about the spread of germs without making them paranoid?

My son came home with lice once and now he's apprehensive about sitting too close to other children in case he gets them again.

Don't want him avoiding people :-/

My DH's workplace organises someone to come in one day each winter to give out flu jabs to anyone that wants them. This seems like a great idea for everyone: the workplace has fewer sick days and fewer people have to go through the flu. How can more workplaces be encouraged to offer this?

Should I pay privately to get my 8 month old baby vaccinated?

I read somewhere that the flu vaccine for over 60s is different from that used for yonger people e.g in their 30s. Is that true? Should I encourage my children who both work full time to get one of the flu jabs you can buy in supermarket and other pharmacies?

How many days can I let them not eat for, when they are ill - always keep the fluids up, but they never want to eat

What are the factors (other than age/immunosuppression) that make some people more vulnerable to the flu? I've never had it, but peers of mine (similar age, otherwise healthy) seem to get it every few years.

Am I the only person to have had flu with no cold symptoms? Well headache, shaky, shivery, felt I was about to die etc but no snot or coughing.

Do you have a simple way to explain to children about the spread of germs without making them paranoid?

I know this is not for MNers to answer but I do a thing with VI formers. You put face paint (washable) on hands then give them a drink in a plastic cup and carry on with whatever you are doing - the face paint ends up everywhere, but obviously can also be cleaned up easily.

What treatment suggestions do you have for someone who has the flu? Should you try and cool someone with a fever, or heat them up to help the fever pass quicker?

I've heard there are different flu jabs and some cover more strains than others, is this true and if so is the NHS using the better vaccine?

What is the minimum age for the jab?

Is there any truth in the belief that having the flu makes your immune system stronger to resist future flu outbreaks?

I had the flu last year, it was horrible!

I'd like to know what to do if you do catch the flu and how do you know when to seek further help.

I am a still breast feeding, can I have the flu jab safely for my child.

Is there a better time to get the jab?

How can i tell the difference between a cold and the flu? Especially in the early stages. What are the signs to look out for?

I always seem to get poorly when i have had the flu jab. is it the jab that has caused it?

Why does the NHS only offer one dose of the nasal spray to children when the SPC states that 2 doses should be given if it's their first time receiving it?

How effective is the flu spray given in schools, in comparison to the jab?

Why isn't the flu vaccine offered to very young children? Is it worth getting it done privately in this case?

Has there been any sufficient research into how many people get ill or catch the flu after having this vaccine?
My daughter caught full on flu less than 48 hours after the vaccine, it’s the only time she has had flu... she didn’t eat for nearly a week and lost lots of weight. I won’t give it to her again after that experience.

Is the flu jab a different strain every year and if so how is it decided which strain will be more likely

Is it recommended for all children to have a flu jab? If so how is it administered and what protection does it offer?