Page last updated: 25-AUG-2009

General Practice

Influenza

Background Information

Influenza, or "flu", attacks significant numbers of people of all ages each winter. It is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Influenza tends to cause a more severe illness than most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold. Typical symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. Although nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can sometimes accompany influenza infection, especially in children, these symptoms are not often the main ones.

Most people who get influenza recover completely in 1 to 2 weeks, but a few develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia. Influenza-related complications can occur at any age; however, the elderly, the very young and people with chronic health problems are more likely to develop serious complications.

The data presented in this series of web pages, compiled from a number of sources, provide historical information about patterns and trends in numbers of cases of influenza up to and including winter 2008/09. They offer insight into how influenza impacts on the health of people in Scotland and on general practices, which are at the frontline in dealing with this illness. Data were sourced from

  • Health Protection Scotland (HPS), who compile data from the PIPeR (Pandemic Influenza Primary Care Reporting System),  SERVIS (Scottish Enhanced Respiratory Viral Infection Surveillance) scheme, GP flu-spotter practices, laboratory reports, NHS 24 call data and ad hoc reports from NHS Boards on flu cases
  • Practitioner Services Division (PSD) of NHS National Services Scotland, who process claims for payment from general practices for administering flu vaccinations   
  • Practice Team Information (PTI), ISD Scotland. Data are collected on patient consultations from a sample of general practices in Scotland.     
  • The Prescribing Information System (PIS), also part of ISD Scotland.

This publication does not provide information on the more recent outbreak of the H1N1 strain of the influenza virus ('swine flu') that started in late April 2009. Current information on swine flu can be found at the HPS website.


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Links to:
 Influenza - GP Consultations
 Influenza - Vaccinations
 Influenza - Surveillance


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