Flu - What you need to know

What is Flu?

Influenza is a viral infection which affects the nose, mouth, throat, bronchi (the two tubes that connect your windpipe to your lungs) and the lungs.  It is highly infectious and is spread through respiratory droplets and aerosols – which are expelled through coughing, sneezing and even talking.  Flu is particularly common in the winter months.

What are the signs and symptoms of flu?

Flu signs and symptoms can range between people and can be more severe in some people than others.

Symptoms often appear rapidly rather than over a few days.   The signs and symptoms include:

• a sudden high temperature / fever / feeling feverish or the ‘chills’

• an aching body

• feeling tired or exhausted or extremely fatigued

• a cough (which is normally dry in nature)

• a sore throat

• a headache

• difficulty sleeping

• reduction or loss of appetite

• diarrhoea or tummy pain

• feeling sick and being sick

How can I help reduce the risk of flu spreading?

Flu is extremely infectious. Simple measures can help reduce the risk of flu spreading.  These include:

• Frequent hand washing

• Using tissues – covering your nose and mouth when you cough of sneeze

• Placing used tissues in the bin as soon as possible

• Avoiding contact with other people

• Cleaning surfaces regularly

Having a vaccine does not necessarily mean that you will not contract Flu.  However, vaccines work by reducing the harmful effects of the virus and reduce the likelihood of more serious illness and secondary complications such as pneumonia and worsening of existing conditions such as asthma and copd.

In more vulnerable groups, having the flu vaccine can reduce deaths.

Having a vaccine can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others and therefore transmission rates within the community.

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/

How do I treat Flu?

Drink plenty of fluids

Treat the other symptoms such as the high temperature, and/or aches and pains with medications such as paracetamol

Seek advice from a Pharmacists regarding other remedies i.e. to combat coughs and sore throats.

Try and get plenty of rest

Only return to normal activities when you feel well enough to do so.

Seek emergency medical help / call 999 if get sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing, start coughing up blood