Flu

Flu | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Flu Flu Return to Symptoms Enter age Last Updated: Next Review Date: Review my answers Find your local services Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below. Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC GP Practices Dental Services Pharmacies Opticians Postcode Search NHS inform has more information on this condition. Read more Previous Start guide Review my answers  You told us your credentials were: : You said: Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation: Close Keep a copy View PDF Flu (influenza) is a common infectious viral illness. You can catch flu all year round, but its especially common in winter. This is why its also known as seasonal flu. You can catch flu many times because flu viruses change regularly. Your body wont have a natural resistance to the new versions. Flu symptoms Some of the main symptoms of flu include: a sudden high temperature tiredness and weakness a headache general aches and pains a dry, chesty cough sore throat difficulty sleeping loss of appetite diarrhoea or tummy pain feeling sick and being sick chills a runny or blocked nose sneezing The symptoms are similar for children. They may also get pain in their ear and be less active. How long do symptoms last The symptoms of flu usually develop 1 to 3 days after becoming infected. Most people will feel better within a week. But, you may have a lingering cough and still feel very tired for a few more weeks. Flu-like illness self-help guide Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next. Phone 999 or go to A&E if you: get sudden chest pain have difficulty breathing start coughing up a lot of blood Phone 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if: You or your child have symptoms of flu and: youre worried about your babys or childs symptoms youre 65 or over youre pregnant you have a long-term medical condition  for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves you have a weakened immune system  for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV your symptoms dont improve after 7 days Get advice from a pharmacist A pharmacist can give you advice about how to treat flu. Find your nearest pharmacy Treating flu at home If you have flu, there are things you can do to help you recover more quickly. Do rest get plenty of sleep keep warm drink lots of water to avoid dehydration take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains stay off work or school until you feel better Dont do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time GPs dont recommend antibiotics for flu. They wont relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery. Preventing the spread of flu Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes. These can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. You can help stop yourself catching flu or spreading it to others with good hygiene measures. Do wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water clean surfaces like your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles regularly use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze bin used tissues as soon as possible avoid unnecessary contact with other people while youre infectious stay off work or school until youre feeling better How to wash your hands properly Help to keep germs at bay by washing your hands properly. The difference between flu and a cold It can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have flu or a cold. Flu symptoms: come on quickly usually include fever and aching muscles are more severe Cold symptoms: come on gradually mainly affect your nose and throat are fairly mild, so you can still get around and are usually well enough to go to work Flu vaccine The annual flu vaccine can help reduce your risk of getting flu each year. Its offered every year for free by the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications. Further information about the flu vaccine for adults Further information about the flu vaccine for children Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 04 December 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852