COLD and flu season is upon us and there are several things to bare in mind as the weather gets colder.
One of those is the urgency of getting your flu vaccine – but can you have it if you are battling a cold?
Common bugs that cause cold symptoms are rife at the moment.
Because Brits spent months in lockdown – including over last winter – immunity to these germs is lower than normal.
As we have emerged from these restrictions, people are getting sick all around, sometimes with what’s been described as “the worst cold ever”.
Meanwhile, experts are urging people to get their flu vaccine to protect themselves against what could be a particularly bad flu season.
For the same reasons described above, scientific models say its plausible deaths from flu could reach 60,000 in one winter.
And don’t forget about Covid vaccines – millions are eligible for a booster shot, and those unvaccinated have been reminded their offer is evergreen.
So what should you do if you have the sniffles and your flu or booster appointment is approaching?
The first thing to do is check if you have Covid.
Everyone is able to use lateral flow test kits at home which give an indication of whether you are infected with the coronavirus. They are recommended to be taken twice a week, even when you don’t have symptoms.
The more reliable PCR tests are also available on the NHS for free.
But regardless of if you have Covid or another nasty bug, experts recommend staying at home to prevent spreading it to other people.
The British attitude to going into work sick is being challenged as Covid has highlighted how problematic it can be for public health.
Can you get the flu jab with a cold?
You can get the flu jab if you are suffering from a mild or minor illness, like a cold.
That includes symptoms of a runny nose, sneezing, cough or sore throat.
It won’t have an effect on your body’s ability to build an immune response to the flu, even though it is fighting an illness.
If you are unsure, contact your GP first.
Can you get the flu jab with a fever?
No, you should not get the flu jab if you have a fever or feel very unwell.
Instead you should wait until you are better.
A fever is not normally a symptom of a cold. But it could be Covid or the flu itself.
A fever is a sign that the immune system is working to battle infection, therefore it may be too busy doing this to build the optimal protection against flu.
The jab therefore may be less effective at preventing the flu than if you got it when you were fit and healthy.
It may also take a longer time for you to recover from the illness you are suffering with, as the immune system is dealing with two things at once.
As well as this, you shouldn’t go to your appointment if you have a fever anyway.
You could spread bugs to other people, including Covid.
Are you eligible for a free flu jab?
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:
- are 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- frontline health or social care workers
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