The Australian Flu In Italy

[Angie and Robert]

Hope you are feeling better by now Gala, Robert and I had the jabs in November, and have been fine all winter (famous last words), no colds either, and our neighbours and friends have also kept healthy. Friends in England though have been very poorly, must be our cold house and all the fresh air!
A

[Carole B]

Take care Gala - this 'flu, it seems, is pretty nasty. There are a lot of people here too who have picked it up despite taking precautions.

Like you, and others here, I had my 'jab' too and have managed to avoid everything apart from a cold and a bit of a cough. But that's to be expected I suppose, living where I do. The people that I know (personally) who have caught it all live in Milano or large towns. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

[Aretina]

Hi Gala

I hope you are up and about soon, I remember just how debilitating this type of bug is. Like you we had our jabs last November and so far (echoing the 'famous last words), have been fine despite spending the last six weeks at 'School' here in Arezzo doing Italian. I thought we would catch something 'coming off our hill' and mixing much more, bars every morning etc. etc. A good friend here in Arezzo got it and it developed into pneumonia, so not a illness to take lightly.

[Angie and Robert]

As an add on Aretina, I believe when I was in the UK, I had the one off jab for pneumonia, which gives a lifetime immunity, might be worth investigating if it is available here. I was thinking of posting a sort of health check list on the forum for those people who intend to live here full time...things to get done before leaving the UK, not knocking the Italian system, but initially and perhaps without good Italian it could save some anxious moments.Will put my mind to it later.

A

[pilchard]

Pilch & I are also suffering a type of flu. No fever, but everything aching and Pilch's knee giving way and my ankle. We were told by Pilch's physio that is a normal type of flu here, you only get the aches and pains and nothing else!!!? We have now suffered two flu's and one virus, and, they are nothing like we had whilst in the U.K! So, it appears that even the Italian illnesses are different.
Sprat

[Gala Placidia]

Thanks everyone for the support and yes, I'm staying indoors as per doctor's orders. I did not have the jab for pneumonia, I thought it was not necessary but I will get it as well. It looks as if this year's flu is very bad. Well, they already announced it and this was the reason why I started the thread; however, it looks as it is worse than anticipated and that the vaccination does not protect you entirely. So take care.

[Aretina]

Hi Angie and Robert

The health check list sounds like a great idea. We've probably all had different experiences vis a vis the health service here, but for me there is a different approach to health here. People are expected to take a good deal more responsibility for their own health in general and in specific cases.. Less of the nanny state.
Can you image being able to buy syringes in Sainsburys.