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Seasonal flu
The Illness
Flu is an infection of the lungs and upper respiratory tract caused by the flu virus. There are three main types of flu virus – called A, B and C. Only A and B cause significant human illness.
Typical symptoms are:
• Fever, typically with sudden onset
• Feeling unwell
• “Achiness” – particularly of the muscles
• Loss of appetite
• Cough
Symptoms are usually at their worst after 2-3 days. Recovery typically takes 5-8 days, though some people take 2 weeks or even longer to feel completely well again.
Complications
Although flu is often thought of as a minor illness, it is a common experience for people who are otherwise fit and healthy to be out of action for two weeks or longer.
Some people are more likely to become infected, and may also be more vulnerable to serious complications. Many of these people – e.g. the elderly, and people who are diabetic, asthmatic, have kidney problems or reduced immunity – are prioritised for free flu vaccination under the NHS.
In such people, pneumonia is an especially important complication, and is usually the result of bacterial infection “taking advantage” of a weakened host.
How it is spread
The virus spreads from person to person in tiny droplets of mucus coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. These droplets dry out to form particles called droplet nuclei, that are easily inhaled by another person, to cause
The incubation period – the time it takes from first contact with the virus until symptoms appear – is between 1 and 4 days (typically 2 days). It is usually possible to pass on the infection for as long as 24 hours before symptoms appear – one reason why the infection spreads so easily.
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Call our UK Booking Hotline now! Book your Corporate Flu Vaccination programme right away: 020 7353 5678
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