Flu epidemic as numbers attending GPs triple

It was all we didn"t want for Christmas, but what many people got - flu as the festive season was marred with flus, colds and infections. Acccording to the HSE, GPs have reported a tripling of patients presenting with flu-like symptoms during late December. Most of the patients have been under 65 years of age. Laboratory testing has shown some illness is caused by Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV), which causes a flu-like illness. Many have also been found to be true cases of Influenza for which immunisation is available. Cavan GP, Dr. Dara Hume, has noticed an increase in the instances of "true influenza" over the past two to three weeks. There is also the usual seasonal increase in viral infections, according to Dr. Hume who worked in Doctor on Call over the Christmas and New Year period and noted at least 50% of calls were about viral related infections. She felt it was vital that people distinguish between a viral infection and "true influenza", whose symptoms are more severe. 'The term "flu" is overused and often people experience a viral upper respiratory tract infection, which they mistake for flu. But there has definitely been an epidemic of true influenza in the last two to three weeks. The symptoms include severe muscle and joint pains, headache, fever, nauseau, dizziness, cough, sore throat, congestion etc, and the influenza sufferer is bedridden for two to three days.' 'Antibiotics have no effect on influenza; in fact, if taken inappropriately, they will be less effective when used for other bacterial infections. Stay indoors, stay warm, take regular paracetamol for temperature and pains, decongestants, vitamin C to boost immunity, i.e. fresh lemon in water, rest and lots of fluids. The typical duration of influenza is three to five days. If, following this, a person has a persistent high temperature or worsening cough, they should see their GP,' advises Dr. Hume. The GP also advised that to help contain the spread of influenza, those affected should stay at home rather than rushing to their doctor"s surgery and, if in doubt, contact your GP by telephone for advice. Bailieborough pharmacist, Iveagh Jameson, agreed that more people are buying over the counter flu and cold remedies. 'Particularly with money being tight, people are using us as a first port of call. We advise patients according to their symptoms and if they are serious we can refer them on,' he said. Ballinagh pharmacist, Cian Murtagh, pointed out that it is the time of year for colds, flus and infections. He suggested that in winter nature might have us hibernate a little, but we seldom do. 'It"s normal for people"s immune systems to be very low when we"re in the depths of winter, with very low levels of light and people aren"t exercising as much and aren"t dressing appropriately for the cold and damp conditions. People are under so much pressure in the run up to Christmas and New Year and when they stop, their immune systems collapse. Mr. Murtagh added that care should be taken among high risk groups, because influenza 'can kill'.