THIS Morning regular and TalkTV host Vanessa Feltz has called for people to get their flu jab after one of her daughters ended up in hospital “terribly unwell” with the virus which can be life-threatening.
In a video, Vanessa told fans her daughter is vaccinated and that if she hadn’t been, “it doesn’t bear thinking about”.
Vanessa said: “She has been on a drip since Thursday. She has ‘flu’. She has been vaccinated.
“The consultant said if she hadn’t, things would be even worse. She says to ask you, please get your ‘flu’ vaccine.”
Vanessa added: “She doesn’t want anyone else to be going through what she is, and neither do I.”
Cases of flu are currently highest in five to 14-year-olds, at 12.3 per cent.
Meanwhile hospitalisation rates are highest in those aged 85 and over, followed by the under fives, with 2.96 per cent per 100,000 people being in hospital, up from 1.47 per cent last week.
Flu symptoms can come on fast and may include:
- Sudden high temperature
- Aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
Children can experience similar symptoms, but may also have pain in their ears and can become less active.
Usually flu symptoms tend to get better on their own but you can help ease symptoms with rest, keeping warm, staying hydrated and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains.
But some people – like Vanessa’s daughter, who has a “particularly horrible, horrible case of it” – can experience more severe symptoms.
The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or seek help from NHS 111 if you or your child has symptoms of flu and:
- you’re worried about your baby or child‘s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition, like diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after seven days
If you get sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing or start coughing up blood, call 999.
Last week Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, urged parents to get their children vaccinated against the bug.
Dr Watson said: “Children under five continue to be hospitalised with flu this autumn.
“Children aged two and three can be protected by an NHS flu vaccine, but the numbers getting what is a straightforward nasal spray vaccine are still low – less than 30 per cent.
“As we go into winter we expect flu levels to increase. Nobody wants their child to get sick.
“I strongly urge parents to book with their local GP nurse as soon as possible.”
The Sun has launched its Do the Double campaign, encouraging Brits to get their flu and Covid jabs.
Book yours online by calling 119 or contact your local pharmacy or GP surgery – and remember to check your eligibility, you may be entitled to a free one.
