AS we enjoy the late autumnal sunshine thoughts are already turning to the winter ahead. I am a passionate supporter of the Health Challenge Wales campaign Beat Flu! As such I was delighted to help promote the campaign recently in the National Assembly for Wales. The Welsh NHS ensures that a flu vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:

• anyone over the age of 65

• pregnant women

• anyone who is very overweight (with a body mass index over 40)

• children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or lung disease)

• children and adults with weakened immune systems

An annual flu vaccine nasal spray is also now offered to healthy children aged two, three and four years old, and to children in school years one and two.

If you think you might need the flu vaccination then I would recommend you contact your local GP surgery.

We know that the viruses that cause flu change every year so you should have the flu vaccination every year so you stay protected,

We can all play our part to help each other, even if we don’t require the flu vaccination ourselves. The prevention of the spread of flu is vitally important. The campaign recommends:

Always wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, as well as:

• regularly cleaning surfaces such as your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles to get rid of germs

• using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

• putting used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

You can also help stop the spread of flu by avoiding unnecessary contact with other people while you're infectious. You should stay off work or school until you're feeling better.

For some contracting flu can be a deeply uncomfortable experience for more vulnerable people it can be much more serious.

The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary.

Let’s all join the fight to Beat Flu this winter.

For more details of Health Challenge Wales’ Beat Flu campaign visit:

http://www.healthchallengewales.org/beat-flu-campaign