HEALTH professionals are warning about the dangers of flu and reminding people that it’s not too late to get their jab.

The seasonally adjusted flu vaccination campaign has been running since October, with thousands of people across Devon having the jab.

For healthy people flu is often worse than a cold – but for some, the effects are even more extreme.

Older people, very young people, pregnant women and those with underlying disease, particularly chronic respiratory or cardiac disease, or those who are immunosuppressed, are at particular risk of severe illness if they catch flu.

Dr Rob Dyer, lead medical director for Devon Sustainability Transformation Partnership, said: “It’s really important that people are vaccinated. They really shouldn’t put off getting it.

“Those in the at-risk groups qualify for a free vaccine, because they are at much greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu. In some cases this can lead to them being very ill indeed.

“So for those who qualify, please remember that it’s free because you need it. You can have the jab at your GP practice or local pharmacy.”

Across Devon, the take-up of flu for people in some at-risk groups has risen since last winter, but the figures are still below the national targets.

The latest number of over-65s having the jab locally is nearly 70 per cent, but the national target is 75 per cent. For pregnant women in Devon the take-up figure is nearly 48 per cent, while the target is 55 per cent.

People who have the vaccination not only protect themselves, they can also help to stop the virus spreading.

Dr Dyer added: “For those people who have flu-like symptoms, there’s usually no need to see a doctor.

“For adults who are normally healthy, flu is unpleasant and inconvenient, but they will usually begin to feel better in a week. They should just rest, drink plenty of fluids and take appropriate pain relief such as paracetamol.”?• The flu virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes.

These droplets typically spread about one metre. They hang suspended in the air for a while before landing on surfaces, where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.

Anyone who breathes in the droplets can catch flu. You can also catch the virus by touching the surfaces that the droplets have landed on if you pick up the virus on your hands and then touch your nose or mouth.

Everyday items at home and in public places can easily become contaminated with the flu virus, including food, door handles, remote controls, handrails, telephone handsets and computer keyboards. Therefore, it’s important to wash your hands frequently.

People can catch flu many times, because flu viruses change regularly and the human body won’t have natural resistance to the new versions.