How to know if you’re ill

What are the symptoms?

Body aches, coughing, exhaustion, fever, headache, minor congestion, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea.

How can you avoid getting the flu?

Get a flu jab to protect yourself. It is the best protection we have but, because flu strains change, it needs to be done every year.

The vaccine is offered free to

adults at risk, over-65s, pregnant women and children at risk aged six months to two years. A spray is offered to children up to four.

You can have the jab at your GP and some pharmacies. Serious side effects are rare.

Those not vaccinated may be prescribed an anti-viral medication.

What is the difference between flu and a cold?

The symptoms may be similar but flu tends to be more severe. It can come on in a few hours, makes you feel exhausted and affects more than the nose and throat alone.

It can also lead to serious complications like pneumonia.

How can you treat flu?

Flu usually clears up by itself after around a week but there are ways you can recover more quickly.

Rest, sleep, keeping warm, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen and drinking lots of water are all recommended.

GPS do not prescribe antibiotics as they will not relieve symptoms or help recovery.

You can seek advice most easily from a pharmacist and are encouraged not to call 999 or go to A&E unless you develop sudden chest pain, have trouble breathing or start coughing up blood.