Most people recover within a week of infection without requiring medical attention, but some groups are at increased risk of becoming very unwell. Those at increased risk should seek medical attention promptly if they think they might have influenza, as antiviral medicines may be required.

Annual immunisation is one of the best ways to prevent catching or spreading influenza and is recommended for those at increased risk (this includes everyone aged 50 and above). The people who care for individuals in at risk groups (including health and social care workers) are strongly recommended to have their annual flu vaccine to help protect themselves and those they care for. Annual vaccination is also recommended for children from 2 to 16 years of age (with a nasal spray vaccine).

Influenza spreads easily, especially in closed environments, and most years there are outbreaks in care homes and hospitals. The severity of the season changes depending on the circulating influenza strain and effectiveness of the vaccine.

In Wales, Public Health Wales leads the national influenza programme on behalf of Welsh Government and as part of this monitors influenza activity and vaccine uptake each year.

• Weekly reports on activity may be found here: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457&pid=34338
• During each influenza immunisation programme (usually October – March), vaccine uptake is summarised every week here: http://nww.immunisation.wales.nhs.uk/ivor (NHS Wales intranet only)

The annual end of the influenza season in an annual report, includes an epidemiological summary of the season can be found here: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457&pid=55714

More information about the annual influenza programme in Wales, can be found here:

http://nww.immunisation.wales.nhs.uk/flu-influenza (NHS Wales intranet)

Flu – Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)