As the January chill hits, many of our elderly friends, relatives and loved ones are most at risk of catching cold and flu viruses. While the flu commonly affects many of us over the winter, most will be able to cope with and recover from it with very few problems (although we may be stuck in bed and feeling extremely worse for wear during that time!)

However, for the more vulnerable members of society, the flu can be extremely dangerous and even deadly if contracted. Here we take a look at how you can beat the illness and how to stave it off in the first place.

Why is the flu so dangerous?

The flu is often referred to a seasonal problem but, while it is noticeably more common during the winter, it’s actually a year round occurrence. It may appear to cause symptoms similar to the common cold, but the influenza virus strain is actually a lot more severe and can mean the symptoms last a lot longer.

Anyone who’s ever had the flu knows that it can be quite a debilitating condition, leaving you exhausted for days on end, dealing with a sore throat, chesty cough, and blocked or runny nose. It’s enough to temporarily wipe out even the healthiest of people, meaning that the problems can be all the more serious for vulnerable people.

In particular, elderly members of society are at considerable risk as their immune systems may not be as strong as they once were. As the body’s immune system may not be healthy enough to effectively fight off the virus, it can spread quite rapidly and lead to more severe conditions like pneumonia developing.

Other people at higher risk of further medical problems as a result of the flu include newborns and toddlers – whose immune systems are still developing – pregnant women and those with existing heart or lung conditions. For this reason, the NHS offers the flu vaccine completely free of charge to those most likely to be affected.

The flu jab usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to take effect, which is why you’ll often see advertising campaigns on television and in medical centres from September to November. Ensuring that your loved ones are given their jab just before the winter gives peace of mind that their immune system will be prepared, at least in the first instance.

The warning signs and solutions

The flu jab isn’t, by any means, a 100% effective solution to preventing the virus. In fact, there’s no way to be absolutely certain your loved one won’t be affected. Getting the jab is certainly the best measure we can use to hold the virus off for as long as possible.

Should somebody actually end up suffering from the flu, there are a few warning signs you can look out for in order to help them. Along with all the signs of a common cold, flu sufferers will experience tiredness and exhaustion, severe headaches and other aches and pains. They’ll also suffer from a dry, chesty cough and a sudden high temperature.

For many people, the flu virus will usually linger for about a week or so, during which time you should stay at home to rest, keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and keep warm until it passes. You can also alleviate aches and pains with off-the-shelf painkillers like paracetamol.

If you or someone around you has the flu, you can help to stop it from spreading by regularly cleaning surfaces and door handles, washing your hands with warm water and soap, and disposing of used tissues after coughing or sneezing. These general guidelines are especially useful if you share your environment with those more at risk of serious problems.

By following these preventative measures, as well as getting an annual flu jab or even taking anti-viral medication if prescribed by a GP, you can ensure the safety and good health of those around you, not just during the winter, but all year round.