Flu rates increase across the region

With flu rates increasing across the region the Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is advising people on what they can do to protect themselves and others from infection on the run up to Christmas.

Dr. Catherine Quigley, Regional Epidemiologist with HPA North West: “We’re seeing increases in flu in most parts of the region.

“This is a highly infectious viral illness for which there is no treatment, other than rest and the replacement of fluids. Most people who are otherwise fit and healthy will recover quite naturally from a bout of flu.

“However, flu can be serious for older people and for those whose immune systems are suppressed by illness or treatment. I can’t stress enough how important it is for these vulnerable patients to protect themselves by having a flu jab. If they haven’t been vaccinated already, it’s not too late.”

Dr. Quigley stressed that healthcare workers should be vaccinated against flu.

“The advice to people suffering from flu, heavy colds or other viral infections is to rest at home and take lots of drinks. Flu is spread by droplets in the air and on surfaces, so care should be taken to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and hands must be washed thoroughly after contact with mucus, after going to the toilet and before eating,” Dr. Quigley said.

“There is no benefit in people with flu, flu-like symptoms or heavy colds visiting their GP surgeries or hospital Accident and Emergency Units where they might pass on infection to other more vulnerable patients. If in doubt they should arrange a telephone consultation with the family doctor or phone NHS Direct, the 24-hour health information service.”

The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.

Flu is caused by a virus spreading from person-to-person. Antibiotics do not work on viral illnesses such as flu and the common cold and should not be taken or requested for these conditions.

The regional rate is 26.1 cases per 100,000 of population, which is still comparatively low, but up from 13.8 per 100,000 two weeks ago.

Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale the rate is currently 31.5 per 100,000.