Family Casebook: Flu Vaccination

Nov 30 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

INFLUENZA is highly contagious and easily spread by coughs and sneezes.

Symptoms affect the respiratory tract (ear, nose and throat) but life threatening complications such as pneumonia and dehydration can occur in the elderly.

The best defence is vaccination.

Every year the World Health Organisation analyses the most likely strain of flu and produces a vaccine for those over 65 and those with weakened immune systems from respiratory diseases.

It is free on the NHS and helps the body produce antibodies that fight the infection.