Help us to help you this flu season

As the weather gets colder and there are more indoor gatherings and seasonal social events with friends and family, it’s more important than ever to remember ways to reduce the spread of respiratory infections – including flu.

The flu season started early this year, and we are seeing lots of people coming to our hospitals with it.

Flu vaccination is still one of the first defences against the illness. Vaccines help protect the most vulnerable people from developing serious illness and being hospitalised, and we strongly encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated against flu as soon as possible.

How to avoid catching and spreading flu and other respiratory illnesses

•    Get vaccinated if you’re eligible 
•    Stay at home if you’re feeling unwell 
•    Open a window for fresh air when meeting people indoors
•    Practise good hygiene – wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, and cough into a tissue
•    Wear a face mask if you’re comfortable doing so.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and you have a high temperature, or don’t feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

If you need to go out, then avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell – including elderly people, pregnant women, young children, people with asthma, people are immunocompromised, and people with long-term illnesses.

Professor Andrew Brent, Chief Medical Officer at OUH, said: “Flu can be a very serious and really unpleasant illness, especially for those who are more vulnerable. We always see a spike in cases of flu and other respiratory illnesses in the colder seasons, and it puts our services under pressure.

“We are seeing a lot of people coming to our Emergency Departments with flu, and some of them are sufficiently unwell to then need admitting to our hospitals. As everyone knows, winter is an extremely busy time for our hospitals and the NHS more widely, and we try to keep our services for people who really need them.

“We ask that anyone eligible for their flu vaccination takes it up – it’s one of the best and strongest ways of keeping yourself and those around you safe. I’m grateful to our staff for doing the same - OUH has the largest number of staff vaccinated against flu of any NHS trust in the South East. We need to also ensure we are taking the sensible precautions listed to limit the spread flu and other winter viruses.

“If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, please follow our common-sense guidance and make sure you’re doing all you can to protect yourself and those around you.”