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What is
the 'Flu?
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
What is the 'Flu?
• The 'Flu is a shortened name for
Influenza
• It is caused by a virus which is
infectious and can cause severe
illness.
• Outbreaks of 'flu occur almost every
year, usually in winter.
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
What Are the Symptoms
People who have the 'flu sometimes feel some or
all of these symptoms:
•
•
•
•
•
Sore throat
Cough
High temperature
Runny/stuffed nose
Muscle or body
aches
•
•
•
•
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Loss of appetite
General feeling of
being unwell
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
What the 'Flu Isn’t
• The 'Flu is not the same as a
common cold
• Both illnesses are caused by viruses,
but the 'flu virus is tougher and, in
general, its effects are stronger
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
'Flu Vaccine
• A vaccine is a fluid, usually given by
injection, so that your body can learn how
to fight (become immune) an infection
• In Ireland, it is recommended that people
in “at risk” groups get the 'flu vaccine
every year
• The 'flu vaccine is free to those in “at risk”
groups and is usually given in
autumn/winter each year
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Who is “at risk”?
• People over 65 years old
• Those with long term medical conditions
eg. Diabetes, lung, heart or kidney diseases
• People with an impaired immune system
• Women who are pregnant
• Residents of nursing homes
• Health care workers
• Carers
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Discuss
• Why do you think all of the people
mentioned before are deemed to
be “at risk”?
• Why are most children not deemed
to be “at risk”?
• Should teachers be included in the
“at risk” groups?
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Cure for the 'Flu
• There is no known cure for the 'flu as it
is a virus
• To get better your own body defences
have to fight the 'flu, and this may take
a number of days
• Your family doctor won’t have any
special medicine to cure the 'flu and
antibiotics won’t help
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
What to Do
• Stay at home and keep warm for up to seven days
• Stay in bed if you feel really bad
• Do not go to work or school or you may spread the
infection
• Eat only if you want to
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take paracetemol, ibuprofen or other OTC (Over The
Counter) medicines to help reduce the symptoms
• Contact your doctor if you don’t improve after a
week or if you start to improve and then get worse
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Stop the Spread
The following may help stop the 'flu spreading to others:
• Reduce contact with others until you are feeling
better
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing
• Alternatively, catch a cough or sneeze in your sleeve
(not your hand)
• Dispose of used tissues carefully
• Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with hands
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Discuss
• Why is it important to stop the
spread of the 'flu?
• What can be done in school to
help stop the spread of the 'flu?
• Why does the 'flu cause
difficulties for hospitals?
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Old Saying
• There is an old saying: “Feed a cold,
starve the 'flu”.
• It’s not known where the saying comes
from, but it’s not entirely true
• Sometimes the 'flu can cause a lack of
appetite, but if you feel hungry you
should eat
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com
Vocabulary
Do you remember what these words
mean?
influenza
injection
virus
immune
infectious
at risk
OTC
antibiotics
paracetamol
vaccine
infection
symptoms
© Seomra Ranga 2017 www.seomraranga.com