Protect your health in the cold
What is flu?
Flu or influenza is a virus that can cause a respiratory infection that is similar, but more severe, than a cold. Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It is important to get the flu vaccine if you are advised to. Find out if you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
Sudden high temperature
Body aches
Feeling tired or exhausted
Dry cough
Sore throat
Headache
Difficulty sleeping
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea or tummy pain
Feeling sick/Nausea or being sick/vomiting
If you have the flu, here are some things you can do to get better more quickly:
Rest and sleep
keep warm
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains - check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for you or speak to a pharmacist if you are not sure
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear).
Who should get the flu vaccine?
Adults aged 65 years and over
Children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions
Children and adults in clinical risk groups
Pregnant women
Those in long-stay residential care homes
Carers and close contacts of those immunocompromised