Influenza
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Influenza key facts
Influenza is caused by the influenza virus and affects thousands of people in the UK every year leading to severe illness or even death. Here, we will take a closer look at what influenza is, how it spreads, its diagnosis, treatments, and how to prevent it.
Introduction to Influenza
Influenza is a highly infectious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects people of all ages around the world. Most people recover from flu, but it may lead to more severe illnesses, hospitalization, or even death. This is more common in the elderly, young children, and those with other underlying health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.
What types of influenza virus are there?
The influenza virus is categorised into 4 types, A, B, C, and D. The Influenza A and B virus cause seasonal epidemics and have further subtypes. Wild birds carry Influenza A, hence the name avian or bird flu. Influenza C causes more mild respiratory viral infections. Influenza D affects cattle, but is not known to cause infections in humans.
What are the symptoms of Influenza
Common flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Upper respiratory tract symptoms such as, coughing, a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, and tiredness
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea
Most people will recover from flu within a couple of weeks, but sometimes it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or even death.
Risk factors for severe Influenza
Certain groups of people are at an increased risk of developing flu complications. This includes certain age groups, such as young children and the elderly. Also, pregnant women, those with a chronic illness, those with a weakened immune system, or those who are overweight with a high body mass index are also at a higher risk for complications.
Diagnosis of Influenza
Diagnosis of the flu, involves clinical evaluation by a healthcare professional, rapid influenza diagnostic tests, antibody or antigen tests, or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). An early diagnosis will enable treatment and appropriate infection control measures to be taken.
Treating Influenza: Strategies and medications
Treatment includes rest, hydration, painkillers, and antiviral drugs. Antivirals, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), will reduce the severity and duration of symptoms when taken early. They are most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Preventing Influenza
Seasonal flu vaccines are recommended for those aged 6 months and older, with extra emphasis placed on those from high-risk groups. Immunisation will reduce the chances of getting the flu, as well as minimising how severe the illness will be.
In addition to seasonal influenza vaccines, good hygiene, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and remaining at home when unwell with the flu can all help to prevent its spread.
Influenza vs. COVID-19: Similarities and differences
Both flu and COVID-19 are respiratory diseases that share similarities in symptoms, transmission, and prevention. However, there are differences between them. Understanding the differences will ensure an accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and effective measures during a pandemic.
Flu season: Timing and impact
Flu season normally occurs during the winter, although flu can occur at any time of the year. The timing and severity of these outbreaks may vary. Understanding these patterns of seasonal flu and their impact is crucial for the prevention, vaccination, and interventions to reduce morbidity associated with the flu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Influenza?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms of the flu include fever, sore throats, coughing, a runny or blocked nose, headaches, body aches, and tiredness.
How does Influenza spread?
Influenza is mostly spread through droplets when a person with the flu coughs or sneezes. Droplets are inhaled or land in the mouths or noses of those nearby. The flu may also be spread through touching surfaces or objects that the flu virus is on and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Who is at higher risk of complications from Influenza?
These include:
- Young children under the age of 5
- The elderly, 65 years of age or older
- Pregnant women
- Those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes
- Those with weakened immune systems
Individuals in these high-risk groups are advised to seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms.
How can Influenza be prevented?
Immunisation with the flu vaccine each year is the best way to prevent influenza. Other preventive measures include:
- Good hand hygiene
- Avoiding individuals who are sick with the flu
- Using a tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Avoiding touching your face
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Is the flu shot effective?
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine will vary each year. It will depend on whether the circulating flu strain matches the strains in the vaccine. The flu vaccine will, however, still provide protection against the flu even if the strains do not match. Also, those who do contract the flu, will have milder symptoms. Be aware, vaccines can cause side effects. Talk to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about having the flu jab.
Can Influenza be treated with medications?
Antiviral medications can be used to treat the flu to reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms. These treatments are most effective when you begin using them within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
What should I do if I have Influenza?
If you have influenza:
- Stay at home to prevent infecting others
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Take medications to manage your symptoms
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use a sanitizer
Can face masks help prevent Influenza?
Face masks can help prevent influenza and other respiratory viruses from spreading. They stop droplets from being released when someone infected coughs or sneezes.
Is it safe to get the Influenza vaccine during pregnancy?
Yes. It is, in fact recommended, to help pregnant women protect themselves and their babies. The vaccine provides immunity to the mother and baby.
How does Influenza differ from COVID-19?
Influenza has a more rapid onset of symptoms than COVID-19, while COVID-19 has an increased risk of complications, especially in the elderly and those with other health conditions.
The future of Influenza prevention and research
Scientists continuously monitor the flu virus, how it changes, and the effectiveness of vaccines. The development of more effective vaccines, diagnostic techniques, and public health capabilities are all essential to reduce the impact influenza has on global health.
By being informed, keeping good hygiene practices, and having your vaccination, we can all help reduce the threat of influenza, protecting those most vulnerable in society.
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Service Guide
Everything you need to know about Getting Treated Privately
What does the Get Treated Privately service do?
The Get Treated Privately service is a private prescribing service which is designed for adults aged 18 years and over, who are experiencing health issues and who would like to receive a fast-track assessment and if applicable, a treatment plan from a qualified prescribing clinician. Treatments are dispensed and delivered to your home or workplace from our regulated online pharmacy.
Is this a safe service?
Yes. Our formulary of medications prescribed and conditions treated are controlled, governed, and continuously risk-assessed by our Medical Director, Dr. Aseel Hamoud. Unlike other prescribing services which operate using faceless questionnaires, our service is conducted through remote video consultations, also known as synchronous consultations. This builds patient safety and prescribing appropriateness into our service, ensuring our prescribing clinicians can be satisfied with who and what they are treating. There is no guarantee of supply of medications, and any prescriptions supplied are at the sole discretion of our clinician prescriber. There is no charge for the consultation.
What is a prescribing clinician and is it safe for me to use them on the NowPatient platform?
Our prescribing clinicians are board-certified pharmacists, nurses, or doctors who can also prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, subject to accepted accreditation and good clinical practice. They are all registered with their respective regulatory bodies. For example, a pharmacist independent prescriber is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Each prescribing clinician undergoes an extensive background check including a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). In addition, they undergo a rigorous license verification process. When you book an appointment with our prescribing clinicians you will see their full name, license number, and any specialized credentials they have.
Is the service available worldwide?
Yes, the Get Treated Privately service is available worldwide.
Do I need to pay for this service?
Yes. This is a private service. You do not need to pay for the consultation. You only pay for the cost of the medication you are prescribed.
How do I book a consultation?
Once you have logged into your account, you will need to navigate to the Get Treated Privately service card which is located as a service item on the dashboard.
Using the action button on the service card, you can select one of the following – ‘Search Treatments’ or ‘Search Conditions’.
Depending on the search type and the product/condition that you would like to get treated, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. Follow the simple steps to complete your booking. During the booking confirmation, you will be able to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language and gender of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available expert clinicians who are trained to assess the medication or condition chosen. Once you have confirmed your booking, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification, SMS notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before the virtual consultation is due to start.
Depending on certain medications which require our clinicians to have your up-to-date blood pressure readings, you may be required to submit a virtual blood pressure check, using your smartphone or device. We will provide you with full instructions, when this is required.
What happens during the remote video consultation?
During the consultation, the clinician will ask you a series of questions that will allow the clinician to assess your condition and potential treatment options. At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment is a safe and suitable option for you. If it is, the clinician will discuss the various treatment options that may be available, so that you can jointly agree on the option that is most suited to you. Once you have jointly agreed on a treatment plan, the clinician will issue a prescription order which will be available in your Cart at the end of the consultation.
Also, with your consent, the clinician may wish to inform your doctor of the treatment that was prescribed. We recommend that you agree to this since your doctor is responsible for your overall care and they should have a record of this consultation and medication prescribed. In addition, our clinician may take the opportunity to advise you on your overall health including advice on healthy living or stop smoking.
What happens at the end of the consultation?
At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise you if any referrals were made to your doctor, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician.
If a referral letter was issued to your doctor, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘Documents’ section of the dashboard. If you were prescribed a treatment, it will now be available in your Cart.
When you go to your Cart, you will be able to select the treatment, checkout and make payment. Once the checkout is complete, your prescription order will be sent to our regulated online pharmacy for processing.
What if the prescriber does not prescribe what I want?
We operate a safe prescribing service. This means that our prescribing clinicians always exercise their clinical judgment when prescribing. Unfortunately, we do not operate a self select service where you can choose a medication and simply buy. If the clinician that sees you does not prescribe anything, then you will not be charged.
Will I get status updates for my order?
Yes. When your treatment is approved, and after you have checked out and paid for your order, we will keep you fully updated with the status of your order. Every time the status of your order changes, you will be notified immediately. These notifications will appear in the ‘Notification Feed’ section on the dashboard.
How will my order be delivered?
All orders are shipped in discreet and unmarked packaging. This means it is suitable for delivery wherever you require (home, work, or a neighbour).
For thermo-sensitive orders (e.g. Insulin or weight loss injections) we use cold chain-validated packaging. Your parcel will normally receive an estimated delivery window from the courier on the day of delivery.
For your protection and safety, your first order can only be delivered to the address that is registered with NowPatient. Future orders can be delivered to any other address, for example, your workplace.
Do you ship cold-chain or temperature sensitive products?
Yes. We use a specialist courier service for all thermo-sensitive deliveries. This is to ensure that cold chain integrity is always maintained and thus the product quality, safety and efficacy.
Learn more about how we handle the delivery of temperature sensitive products.
Where do you deliver?
We currently deliver to all postcodes/zipcodes worldwide. Some postcodes in rural areas may have a slightly longer delivery time.
When will my order arrive?
We aim to ship all orders placed Monday – Friday before 3pm on the same day. Orders placed outside these times will be shipped the next working day. All deliveries are shipped by Royal Mail, which delivers Monday through Saturday in the UK. For deliveries outside of the UK, please check with your national postal service for accurate delivery days.
Our delivery options have the following delivery times:
- UK – Royal Mail Tracked 24 & Signed for Delivery – Next day delivery
- Europe – Royal Mail Tracked – Typical delivery of 3-5 working days
- Worldwide – Royal Mail – Typical delivery of 5-7 working days. If a tracked option is available for your country via Royal Mail, this service will be applied.
What should I do if my order has not arrived?
Delivery is normally made promptly after your dispatch notification is received. You can check the tracking details of your order in the ‘Notification Feed’ section of the dashboard, at any point after dispatch.
Unfortunately, packages can sometimes get lost in the delivery system. If after 10 days you have not received your delivery, please contact us and we will do all we can to resolve the problem.
Can you prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections?
Yes. However, with GLP-1 weight loss medications, the license requires that there are support resources put in place as part of the plan including coaching for a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and diet. Our clinicians will discuss this with you, if you are prescribed this type of treatment.
You can learn more on our Weight Loss Programs feature page.
What’s included with my order?
If you are ordering prescription medication, your order will contain your medication only.
If you are ordering weight loss injections, your order will contain:
- Your prescription of pre-filled weight loss injection pens
- Needles
- Sharps bin for safe disposal of needles (if ordered as part of the bundle)
Can I reorder my medication, if I have already been prescribed a course?
Yes. However, as a responsible prescribing service, we do not issue more than one monthly cycle of medication at a time. This means that, if you would like to reorder, you will need to rebook a consultation.
This is important, because it allows our clinicians to keep track on the progress of your treatment plan and ensure that the medication remains safe and effective for you.
What is the earliest I can reorder my medication or treatment?
14 days after you have received your first monthly supply, we will send you a notification to advise you that you are eligible to reorder your medication. To ensure that we are able to safely prescribe the next supply, you will need to rebook a consultation.
This ensures that our clinician can check in on your treatment plan and ensure it is working as intended and continues to be safe, suitable and appropriate for you.
How do I reorder my medication?
When you are eligible to reorder your next medication, we will send you a notification reminder. This notification reminder will request that you book a consultation with a NowPatient Clinician.
You should book a suitable time and date for the consultation.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician may advise you to either
- Stop the treatment
- Stay on the current dose
- Increase the dose
If our clinician deems it safe for you to continue taking the medication, the medication will be added to your cart, from where you can checkout.
Delivery will be made in line with our delivery timescales.
As a responsible prescribing service, we will always monitor your treatment plan to ensure that it remains safe, effective and suitable for you.
How do I reorder weight loss medication?
Our weight loss programs are built to closely monitor treatment progress and safety. Please refer to the Weight Loss Programs Service Guide that explains how you can reorder or step edit your dose.
About Telehealth
Everything you need to know about video consultations
Are remote video consultations right for me?
How do I know if the remote video consultation service is safe?
Do I need to verify my identity during the remote video consultation?
Can I have a chaperone (carer, friend, family member) join a remote video consultation?
How can I be sure that you are handling and protecting my data securely?
How is my data stored?
Are my consultations confidential?
Can I select which clinician I have my consultation with?
Will my doctor be informed of any consultations I have through the app?
Do remote video consultations save money for health systems?
Are remote video consultations safer than online questionnaires?
What quality of care can I expect to receive from a remote video consultation?
Why am I being asked to provide my Blood Pressure reading?
If I don’t have a Blood Pressure monitor, how can I provide my readings?
Is the remote blood pressure monitor safe and medically accurate?
How does the remote blood pressure monitor actually work?
When and how is my remote blood pressure reading taken?
What devices does the remote Blood Pressure monitor work on?
Why do my results keep failing when using the remote blood pressure monitor service?
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