The cold damp conditions of autumn are a perfect breeding ground for viruses like the flu but steps are being taken to combat this killer. Emma Barnett reports.

THE hot, sunny spells are finally over and with the days turning colder, coats coming back out of the wardrobe and the evenings beginning to draw in, winter is definitely on its way.

But along with the cosy nights in front of the fire, Christmas shopping and seasonal work parties also comes the threat of coughs and colds and, even worse, the flu.

The illness, which was discovered in the 1930s, affects more than 100 million people in Europe, America and Japan in an average year and one in ten adults and one in three children will contract the illness each year.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 people will die due to the complications of flu infection every year and the illness accounts for the loss of more than 150 million working days in Britain alone.

In Hampshire there has not been a major outbreak of flu since 1999. In most winters doctors will see between 100 and 200 cases of the illness a week, but to reach epidemic proportions the figure needs to exceed 400.

But whether you are part of an epidemic or not the symptoms of flu are still very unpleasant. They can also affect people in many different ways and to different degrees.

People over 65, or those with chronic heart or chest complaints, asthma, diabetes or other serious medical conditions can find themselves developing complications after catching the illness.

Dr Mike Barker, consultant in communicable disease for Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The problem in the over-65s and people that have other chronic diseases is that flu causes a risk of secondary infection.

"You're more likely to get pneumonia and it's often that secondary bacterial pneumonia that will lead to people being admitted to hospital for treatment because it's more serious.

"That's why the immunisation is recommended for those groups, because of their increased risk of developing complications from flu which, for older people, can be fatal."

In fact every GP surgery across Hampshire is currently running special clinics where people who meet the necessary requirements can get a free vaccination to prevent them catching the illness.

One of the first in line for a flu jab at St Andrew's Surgery in Eastleigh was Kathleen Saunders, from Cranbury Road, Eastleigh.

The 74-year-old said she felt it was doubly important for her to be immunised.

She added: "I've been having the flu vaccination every year for at least ten years - and I haven't had flu.

"Seeing as I have asthma I think I need it. I would recommend it to everyone."

Last year more than 68,000 local people were vaccinated against flu and Dr Barker said that around 70 per cent of over-65s in Hampshire have already signed up for their free jabs.

Although there is currently no cure for flu, Dr Barker said some drugs are available which can help combat the symptoms.

But he added: "Although these specific anti-viral drugs have shown to be effective in shortening the duration of the illness by about a day, you need to start treatment with them very early in the illness.

"But very early in the illness it's difficult to decide if you've got flu or if you've got another virus."

Dr Barker said the best treatment for flu was to stay indoors, wrap up warm, drink plenty of fluids and take painkillers to reduce the fever and help relieve headaches and muscle pains.

He added that many people suffering the symptoms of the disease do themselves no favours by struggling into work.

"I think it's important to be sensible about it because if you're feeling under the weather and you struggle into work coughing and sneezing you're not doing yourself any favours.

"You're also not doing your work-mates any favours because you've spread it to them and, if it is flu, it's highly infectious.

"It's a useful message to say don't struggle into work if you've got flu."

Alexandre Hamelin, head of policy for the Southampton Chamber of Commerce, said people appear to be taking note of this advice and staying off work when they are unwell.

"In general terms, any epidemic of illness on a wider scale in the autumn or winter months can have an effect on the productivity of businesses due to the absenteeism that it can generate, but, talking to the businesses that we know, I don't think there's been a particular problem over the last few years.

"It's just something that happens every year and people learn to deal with it. It's better for someone to stay at home and get a rest if this person feels that they have the first symptoms of flu.

"If they do have flu it makes sense for them to stay at home so they won't spread it." But he added that he did not think it would make a difference if the flu jab were made compulsory.

"In other European countries it's not compulsory and other European countries deal with the situation well.

"I don't think it would reduce the number of working days lost."

FLU VACCINATION AND ADVICE:

Free flu vaccinations are available to over-65s and to people, whatever their age, with:

A chronic heart or chest complaint, including asthma

Chronic kidney disease

Diabetes

Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment

Any other serious medical condition

Residents of old people's and nursing homes.

For anyone who is not eligible for the jab and is unlucky enough to catch flu this winter, the best advice is to stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and eat what you can.

There is no cure for flu and antibiotics do not help unless there are complications, but a painkiller will help reduce your temperature and relieve headache and muscle pains.