North avoids worst of flu virus . . so far

Jan 4 2009 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

HARDY folk in the North have so far escaped the worst ravages of the flu outbreak sweeping the country . . . but health experts warn the worst is yet to come.

The so-called flu season — usually between January and March — started earlier than normal in December and, nationally, figures rose to 68 GP consultations per 100,000 people. In the North, the number stood at 44.

While this is well below the 200 needed for it to become an epidemic — which last happened in 1989 — the figures are expected to peak in the next three months.

Among the flu types hitting the UK are the H3N2 Brisbane strain, which killed six children in Australia last year, and the norovirus — the winter vomiting bug — which led to North care homes being shut and sufferers being banned from hospitals.

Dr Richard Pebody of the Health Protection Agency said: “Flu has started a bit earlier than normal this year and we have already seen a lot of flu activity.

“At this early stage, however, it is impossible to predict what levels we will see over the next few weeks.

“For most people, flu is a nasty experience, but for some in at-risk groups, such as the elderly, it can lead to serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia.

“This is why it is important that people in this group take up the offer of free flu vaccination at their GP surgeries.” It is predicted that this year’s outbreak will be the worst since 1999/2000, when flu killed 22,000 across the UK, mainly old people.

Although there are no official figures on the winter vomiting virus, the region was hit quite hard over Christmas.

A spokeswoman for the North East Strategic Health Authority said: “While most people who experience winter vomiting suffer no long-term effects, it’s important that people stay away from work or school until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours to help to limit the spread of the illness as much as possible.

“It is also important that people who have had the bug do not visit relatives in hospital or care homes until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours to avoid spreading it amongst the vulnerable.”

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Advice on avoiding flu

:: Hygiene is very important. You can try to keep free of the virus by frequently washing your hands with soap and water.

:: Clean hard surfaces such as kitchen tops, door handles, desk tops, etc, frequently.

:: The flu virus is spread through the air when people cough or sneeze. You can stop the spread by coughing or sneezing into disposable tissues.

:: Dispose of used tissues quickly and carefully. Put them into a bag and then into a bin.

:: Avoid all non-essential travel and public transport if possible.

:: Consider working from home. Any place where you mix with other people can increase your chances of becoming infected with a flu virus.

What to do if you think you have flu

:: Drink plenty of fluids.

:: Keep a small stock of general medicines — for example, paracetamol, Ibuprofen and/or codeine — to lower your temperature when you are ill. For children, have equivalent medicines specifically produced for them, such as Calpol.

:: If you or someone you know is vulnerable and needs help, contact Social Care Direct on 0845-850 5010, especially if you have no family or friends who can help out and they are left alone when ill.

:: Stay away from crowds and public transport to stop the virus spreading.

This advice is based on information on the Department of Health website at www.nhsdirect.co.uk