Lungs shot better for flu

Immune systems react better to flu jabs if they are administered directly into the lungs, according to experiments.

Not only does this send treatment to where it is needed most, but it also guards against the spread of infection, reported Reuters.

And a lower dose in vaccine is needed if drugs are administered in this way, the Centre for Animal Biotechnology at the University of Melbourne said.

Lung and regular vaccines were tested on a group of sheep, with antibiotics entering the bronchial system having greatest effect.

The associate professor Philip Sutton told the news agency: "[The lung vaccine] could potentially help reduce the spread of the infection by neutralizing the virus before it can be breathed out by an infected person."

However, he admitted better ways of administering the vaccine should be found.

The antibodies were injected into sheep using a bronchoscope - a tube inserted into the chest.

According to the National Health Service in the UK, flu symptoms generally last for two to three days with sufferers feeling better within five to eight days.

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