Influenza

Flu (influenza) is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include; a sudden fever, headache, aches, sore throat and a dry chesty cough.

How do you catch Influenza?
Flu is spread by coughs, sneezes and contact with those who already have the disease

Incubation period
1 to 4 days

Diagnosis
Based on the symptoms. Usually self-diagnosed by the person who has the infection.

Prevention
Use a tissue to catch germs when coughing/sneezing, bin used tissues as quickly as possible and wash hands often with warm water and soap. A vaccine is available annually which helps reduce the risk of catching flu. This is available through the NHS to people in certain risk groups. It is also available privately through MASTA.

Treatment
No specific treatment is available for flu, remedies are available from a pharmacist to help relieve symptoms. Anti-virals may be prescribed for people in high-risk groups if needed.

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Vaccination options

Single vaccine available to provide protection. This is formulated each year to protect against the current circulating strains.

Level of protection: Uncertain as flu is very unpredictable, but will provide healthy adults with some protection against all strains, even those not included in the vaccine.

Protection duration: Protection from flu gradually decreases over time, so annual vaccination is recommended.

How is it given: Single Injection

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Did you know?

  • There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D. Types A and B cause epidemics, type D only affects cattle. Type C viruses only cause mild infections and are less common.
  • The WHO monitors influenza viruses each year to determine which strains of flu the vaccine should be formulated to protect against in the northern hemisphere.
  • Circulating influenza viruses are constantly changing, so that new strains can appear and cause pandemics (worldwide outbreaks).

Clinical Oversight By:

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross OStJ is the Medical Director of MASTA and has been associated with MASTA since 2005. He served 41 years in the Army, including over 10 years as senior advisor on public health to the UK Surgeon General. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John.

Professor David Ross

Professor David Ross OStJ

Medical Director, MASTA

PhD MSc MBBS MRCGP FRCPCH FFPH FFTM RCPS(Glasg.) FRCP(Glasg.)

GMC No. 3115417

Professor David Ross is the Medical Director at MASTA and has been associated with the company since 2005. He was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1983 and graduated in medicine from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London in 1986. In 2012 he was appointed the Parkes Professor of Preventive Medicine, in 2014 an Honorary Queen’s Physician and in 2023 an Officer in the Order of St John. He was the senior advisor on public health from 2012–2023 to the UK Surgeon General. He retired from the Army in October 2024, after 41 years active service.

Professor David Ross was Director of Education, Honorary Secretary, and Vice Dean before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons (Glasgow) in October 2024. Recent travel medicine research interests have included malaria prevention and tuberculosis screening. He was Chief Examiner of the Diploma of Medicine in Conflict & Catastrophes at the Society of Apothecaries until 2024, is Chair of the Final UK MFPH and an Examiner at the UK Faculty of Public Health.

The last few years of his military working life were dominated by supporting the international and national public health response to COVID-19, where he managed many large COVID outbreaks both overseas and in the UK. David also led research into risk factors for mental ill health in the UK Army and for this was awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow in 2024.