Severe symptoms come on quickly

FLU symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

■ A sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above;

■ Aching body;

■ Feeling tired or exhausted;

■ Dry, chesty cough;

■ Sore throat;

■ Headache;

■ Difficulty sleeping;

■ Loss of appetite;

■ Diarrhoea or stomach pains;

■ Nausea and being sick.

Symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.

Telling the difference between a cold and flu is important.

Flu appears quickly within a few hours and a cold comes on gradually.

It affects more than just your nose and throat and leaves a person feeling exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal, whereas people can still function with a cold.

Self-care involves rest and sleep, keeping warm, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower body temperature and drinking plenty of water.

People in at-risk groups should seek medical attention. The chances of catching the flu at this time of the year are extremely low, but cases continue to be notified.

There have been no outbreaks of flu since April, where the virus is passed from one person to another.

Only sporadic cases of flu are now being detected.

Figures to be released later this year are expected to show the winter flu and weather led to excess mortality among older people. This is estimated by comparing deaths during this time period with the preceding time, April to July and August to November.