18,000 people living in Kilkenny city and county urged to get flu vaccine

UP TO 18,000 Kilkenny people who suffer with respiratory illnesses are being urged to immediately get the flu vaccination immediately.

Close to one in five people in Kilkenny suffer from either Asthma or Coronary Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). These people are more susceptible to the dangers of flu, a virus that is potentially fatal to them. Every year, between 200 and 500 people die as a result of the flu.

The Asthma Society of Ireland is today calling on the 7,347 people in Kilkenny who have asthma, and the 10,916 people who have Coronary Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), to speak to their GP or pharmacist about receiving the flu vaccination.

Dr Dermot Nolan, Asthma Consultant and member of the Asthma Society’s Medical Advisory Group, said: “I strongly recommend the flu vaccine to my patients with asthma.

“Contracting the virus is in no way a pleasant experience. Headaches, high fever, chills, coughing and aching body are just a few of the many debilitating symptoms. In some cases, the flu can lead to death. People with asthma need to be extra cautious with the flu virus as it causes swelling and narrowing of the airways in the lungs, along with excess mucus and these three factors can trigger an asthma attack, which in some cases, can be fatal.”

The Asthma Society has provided a few handy tips to help people avoid catching and spreading the flu:

• Get the flu vaccine in October;
• Cover your mouth when sneezing using a tissue – this tissue should be binned afterwards;
• Wash your hands frequently with hot soapy water to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the flu virus;
• Get plenty of sleep and eat healthily – this can help boost your immunity and decrease the risks of contracting a flu;
• If you suspect someone has a cold or the flu, keep your distance where possible;
• Try to get into the habit of not touching your face as this is often how the flu is spread;
• Regularly clean hard surfaces such as your phone, keyboard and door handles as the flu virus can live on these surfaces for up to 24 hours.

For more information about the flu vaccination, log on to: http://www.asthma.ie