Also known as Influenza, the seasonal flu is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness which is caused by the influenza virus. Flu season typically (but not strictly) runs from November to March and can affect people of all ages. It is recommended you should get your ‘flu jab’ during the Autumn months in order to be covered for flu season.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, temperature, chills/sweats, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. Generally, symptoms peak on day 2 or 3 and you should start feeling better after 5 – 7 days. If you are carrying the virus, you can spread it by sneezing or coughing. This can happen 1-2 days before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after symptoms develop. Although rarely life threatening, there are some groups that are more at risk of developing serious infections such as people over the age of 65, the very young, anyone with a long-term medical condition and those with compromised immune systems.