ACHING muscles, headache and a sore throat - a bout of flu can leave you feeling utterly exhausted and unable to function.

For most otherwise healthy people the virus, while debilitating in the short term, leaves no lasting ill effects.

But for some people catching the flu can lead to other serious illnesses, and even death.

That is why Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) is again urging people aged over 65 - and younger people in high risk groups - to have their annual flu jab.

Those who should have the jab are people aged over 65, particularly those living in nursing or residential homes, and younger people at high risk. These include those with conditions such as chronic heart or chest complaints, including some people with asthma, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and those with a lowered immunity due to disease or treatment for conditions such as cancer.

Dr Robert Markham, a local GP and chairman of the Primary Care Trust's Professional Executive Committee, said the risks for some people were too great to ignore.

He said: "With flu you get headaches, achy muscles, you can get a cough and sore throat and you run a high temperature - it really does knock you flat out.

"If you are otherwise healthy you should recover in five to seven days with bed rest, keeping warm, getting lots of fluids and ordinary painkillers.

"But if you have got other illnesses it can lead to pneumonia and other complications - that's when people end up in hospital."

The flu jab is provided free through GPs. Last year, 75 per cent of people over the age of 65 in the PCT area were vaccinated against the virus.

Dr Markham said the jab was quick, easy and extremely safe and he hoped even more people would get immunised this year. People who may not be suitable for the jab, which is altered each year to fight prevalent strains of the infection, include those with a severe egg allergy and pregnant women

If anyone is in doubt as to whether they need protection they are advised to speak to their GP, practice nurse, health visitor or district nurse, or to telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Updated: 09:01 Monday, December 08, 2003