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The UK Flusurvey opens to track winter sickness

Today the UK's online Flu survey opens again, asking for the public's help in tracking flu-like symptoms across the country.

The flu survey was launched in 2009 in the midst of the swine flu epidemic, and aims to track online the spread of symptoms which people usually wouldn't report to their GP or hospital. 

It is hoped that having thousands of volunteers spend a few minutes reporting every week will help improve our understanding of how the flu spreads, and identify risk factors.

Last year's survey revealed that:  

• Vaccinations reduce the risk of contracting flu by at least 10%
• Living with children increases the risk of flu-like symptoms
• Avoiding public transport won't help your chances of getting sick

This year they are particularly interested in any differences in symptoms - and reporting symptoms - between males and females, to try and work out if 'man flu' is real.

Flusurvey asks you to record symptoms such as chills, high fever, coughs, runny noses and muscle pain.  As an added incentive, for every weekly report or friend you recruit to the survey, you will be entered into prize draws to win cuddly microbes or a Google Nexus tablet.

 STEM Ambassadors or teachers may find it useful in engaging with pupils on topics around healthcare, epidemiology and citizen science, and there is a map of results which indicates the current health of the country.

Visit Flusurvey's site at www.flusurvey.org.uk, check them out on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@flusurvey) for more information on how you can take part.