What happened to Claire Davies after contracting the flu?

Claire Davies developed severe symptoms from the flu, leading to her lungs being devastated and requiring a double lung transplant.

Why are hospitals in the North East bringing back face masks?

Face masks are being reintroduced in North East hospitals to protect the most vulnerable patients from soaring flu infection rates.

How much more likely are people with lung conditions to die from flu?

Studies show people with lung conditions like asthma or COPD are seven times more likely to die from flu than healthy individuals.

Home / Health / Flu Vaccine Saved My Life: Lung Transplant Hope

Flu Vaccine Saved My Life: Lung Transplant Hope

13 Dec

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Summary

Flu led to double lung transplant wait after severe illness.
Hospital flu admissions quadrupled compared to last year.
Vaccination is urged for vulnerable groups against deadly flu.

Flu Vaccine Saved My Life: Lung Transplant Hope

A Middlesbrough woman narrowly escaped death and now awaits a double lung transplant, crediting her survival to the flu vaccination. Her severe flu experience in 2022 led to hospitalisation and a critical decline in lung function, leaving her with only 30% capacity. This personal ordeal underscores the potential severity of influenza.

Recent data reveals a significant surge in flu cases, with hospital admissions quadrupling compared to the same period last year. This alarming trend has prompted some North East hospitals to reintroduce face masks on wards to protect vulnerable patients. Medical experts are concerned about a newly mutated strain of the virus circulating.

Charity Asthma + Lung UK is reinforcing the message for individuals with respiratory conditions to take extra precautions. They recommend vaccination and suggest wearing face coverings in crowded indoor spaces to mitigate infection risk. The charity offers a guide to help people stay well during winter.