Seasonal flu vaccines at Murrays Healthcare

Login19 May 2012

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Seasonal Flu Vaccines for everyone

Flu jabs at Murrays Healthcare Flu is a highly infectious and very common viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes, getting a flu jab is the single best way to protect yourself and your family and friends from flu.

You can catch flu (Influenza) all year round, but it is particulally prevalent during the winter months. Flu is not the same as a cold, it is caused by a different group of viruses and the symptoms of flu tend to be more severe and may last longer.

Until recently the only way to get a flu jab was through your local GP, Murrays Healthcare are now able to offer the flu jab, by one of our trained pharmacists. This service is available for only £9.95 and is available to most members of the public.

There are 19 Murrays pharmacies that are able to offer the seasonal flu vaccine, administered by our trained pharmacists, to find the Murrays pharmacy closest to you that is doing the flu jab, please click here

Myths and Facts about flu

Flu or Cold, they are the same thing right?

Wrong: if you have ever experienced flu you will know it's a lot more than a bad cold. In most cases, flu causes moderate illness, however reports suggest flu is estimated to be responsible for more than 18,000 deaths each year in England and Wales.

What is Flu?

Flu is a highly contagious respiritory infection. It spreads easily from person to person; at home, at school, at work, on the train, at the supermarket. It gets passed on when someone who has flu coughs or sneezes and is transmitted through the air by droplets.

How does a flu vaccine work?

A flu vaccine will stimulate the first wave of your body's natural defences and create antibodies that will help defend your body from the types of flu virus found in this years winter flu jab.

Will a flu jab give me flu?

No, this is a myth. A flu jab contains inactivated, killed virus strains so it can't give you the flu. However a flu jab can take up to two weeks to begin working so it is possible to catch flu in this period. A flu jab is designed to protect you against the most commen and potent strains of flu circulating around. There is a small chance you could catch a strain of flu not contained in the flu vaccine or even just a cold virus circulating in the community.

Flu jabs at Murrays Healthcare Will a seasonal flu jab provide protection against swine flu?

Yes! This years seasonal flu jab contains the H1N1 flu virus which causes swine flu. This means it may not be necessary to have two different vaccinations this year.

How much will a flu jab cost?

If you fall into one of the NHS recommended "at risk" groups then you are eligible for a free flu jab at your local GP surgery. The cost of a flu jab administered by your local Murrays pharmacy is just £9.95.

Cold or Flu?

1 in 3 of us believe that flu is just a bad cold, although colds and flu share many of the same symptoms, thousands of people die each year from complications after catching the flu virus.

If you are fit and healthy you will most likely be able to manage the symptoms of a cold or even flu by yourself without having to see a doctor. Simple advice such as ensuring you get plenty of rest, keep drinking fluids (but not alcohol) and avoid strenuous activity that may aggrivate the symptoms of your cold. Ibuprofen or paracetamol can help relieve aches and pains or come and see you Murrays pharmacist for helpful, practical advice.

So how do you know if you have a cold or flu? Typically the symptoms of a cold include

runny or even blocked nose
sore throat
sneezing
a cough
a mild fever
headaches
tiredness

Generally the symptoms af a cold come on over two to three days and gradually they get better after a few days or in some cases up to 2 weeks.

The symptoms of a flu comes on much quicker than a cold, with symptoms often showing between 24 and 48 hours of being infected, the symptoms of flu include:

the sudden onset of a fever of 38 to 40 degrees C
sweating
muscle aches and pains
extreme exhaustion and needing to sleep or lie down
a dry chesty cough
sneezing

Most people will recover from flu after a week or so but you may continue to feel tired or have muscle pain for longer.

If you suffer from a chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes or you have chest pains, abdominal cramps of prolonged migraine, seek medical assistance regardless of whether it is a cold or flu.