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10 myths about flu

There are many myths surrounding flu and the flu vaccine. Here are 10 common flu myths, and the truth behind them.

The flu jab is available on the NHS for people who are considered andquot;at riskandquot;. This includes anyone aged 65 and over, mums-to-be at any stage of pregnancy and people with a long-term health condition. Find out if you should have the flu vaccine this year.

1. Having flu is just like having a heavy cold

A bad bout of flu is much worse than a heavy cold. Flu symptoms come on suddenly and sometimes severely. They include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, as well as a cough and sore throat. So, you re likely to spend two or three days in bed. If you get complications caused by flu, you could become seriously ill and have to go to hospital.

2. Having the flu jab gives you flu

No, it doesn t. The vaccine contains inactivated flu viruses, so it can t give you flu. There are some fairly common but mild side effects. Your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected, and some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards. Other reactions are very rare.

3. Flu can be treated with antibiotics

No, it can t. Viruses cause flu and antibiotics only work against bacteria. You may be prescribed antiviral medicines to treat your flu. Antivirals do not cure flu but they can make you less infectious to others and can reduce the length of time that you may be ill. To be effective, antivirals have to be given within a day or two of your symptoms appearing.

A bacterial infection may occur as a result of having the flu, in which case you may be given antibiotics. Find out more about why antibiotics won't work against flu.

4. Once you've had a flu jab, you're protected for life

No, you aren t. The viruses that cause flu can change every year, so you need a vaccination each year that matches the new viruses. The vaccine usually provides protection for the duration of the flu season that year.

5. I m pregnant, so I shouldn t have the flu jab because it will affect my baby

You should have the vaccine whatever stage of pregnancy you are in. If you re pregnant, you could get very ill if you get flu, which could also be bad for your baby. Having the jab can also protect your baby against flu after they're born and during the early months of life.

6. The flu jab won't protect me against swine flu

Yes, it will. This year s flu vaccine protects against three different flu viruses including the H1N1 swine flu virus. This is because the virus is expected to be circulating this year.

7. Children can't have the flu jab

Children who are most 'at risk' of serious illness if they catch flu are eligible for the flu jab on the NHS and it's important that they receive the vaccine.

These are children with a pre-existing illness such as a respiratory or neurological condition or children who are having treatment such as chemotherapy.

The flu jab will offer them protection against the H1N1 swine flu virus and the other two strains of flu that are predicted to be circulating this winter.

8. I ve had the flu already this autumn, so I don t need the vaccination this year

You do need it if you're in one of the risk groups. As flu is caused by several viruses, you will only be protected by the immunity you developed naturally against one of them. You could go on to catch another strain, so it s recommended you have the jab even if you ve already had flu. Also, what you thought was flu could have been something else.

9. If I missed having the flu jab in October, it's too late to have it later in the year

No, it's not too late. It's better to have the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available but it's always worth getting vaccinated before flu comes around. Since we don't know when flu will strike, the sooner you have the vaccine the better.

10. Vitamin C can prevent flu

No, it can t. Many people think that taking daily vitamin C supplements will stop them getting flu, but there s no evidence to prove this.

Read the answers to some common questions about flu and the flu vaccine.

Parents will receive text message and email advice on how to bring up their children after David Cameron said it was ludicrous that people get more training in driving a car, the Daily Mail has reported.

The story, covered in much of the media, is based on the launch of a new interactive service providing information and advice to parents.

Why is this in the news?

Launched today by the prime minister David Cameron, the NHS Information Service for Parents gives mums, dads and parents-to-be advice on issues around staying healthy in pregnancy, preparing for birth and looking after their baby. It includes:

• advice via email and text messages (SMS)
• short film clips of advice from midwives and parents
• online advice from the NHS

Why has this service been launched?

The three initiatives are reportedly being launched because of the impact a child s care early in life has on their health, behaviour and ability to learn throughout their lives. A 2010 Department for Education survey of 2,319 parents of under-threes, found that 85% wanted practical help with caring for their baby.

What can mums and dads and parents-to-be expect from the service?

The free Information Service for Parents emails and texts contain NHS-approved advice and will be sent every week from five weeks pregnant through to four weeks after the birth of your baby. Fathers-to-be can sign up for advice specifically aimed at them. The email and text service is expected to offer more advice for parents of older children in the future.

The videos available from the Information Service for Parents demonstrate practical advice for parents and parents-to-be, including:

• how much weight should I put on during pregnancy?
• what s involved in a caesarean section?
• how do I know if I have postnatal depression?
• how can I get my baby to sleep?

There are already around 670,000 visits per month to the pregnancy and baby webpages on NHS Choices.

How can I sign up to this service?

Visit www.nhs.uk/parents to sign up to the service or find out more information. Alternatively, you can sign up at a midwife appointment or at pregnancy, child or parenting support organisations such as NCT, as well as a host of websites.

What else has been announced for parents today?

The NHS Information Service for Parents was announced alongside a trial of free parenting classes for all parents of children aged five years and under in:

• Middlesbrough
• High Peak (Derbyshire)
• Camden (London)

Mums and dads will be able to use vouchers to pay for the parenting classes, which are being offered by a large group of children s and parenting charities. These parenting class vouchers are available from Boots stores, children s centres and health visitors.

The government has also launched a trial of subsidised relationship support sessions to help expectant mothers and fathers, and those with children up to the age of two. These sessions are being offered in York, Leeds, North Essex, Hackney and City of London, by Relate, The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships and the Fatherhood Institute. The sessions are set to include help with:

• managing new roles and responsibilities in your relationship
• dealing with the emotional impact of having a child
• learning negotiating and compromising skills
• balancing your role as a parent and as a partner
• coping with issues such as lack of sleep and mess

Links To The Headlines

No 10 guide to changing nappies and baby talk. The Daily Telegraph, May 18 2012

No 10 scheme will text and email parents with child-rearing tips from choosing baby names to changing nappies. Daily Mail, May 18 2012

Marriage counselling for tired new parents. The Independent, May 18 2012

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