Flu
Flu
Overview
Return to Symptoms
Next Review Date:
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
NHS inform has more information on this condition.
You told us your credentials were:
You said:
Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation:
Flu (influenza) is a common infectious viral illness. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter. This is why it’s also known as seasonal flu.
You can catch flu many times because flu viruses change regularly. Your body won’t have a natural resistance to the new versions.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands
Information on breathing problems in children
Contact your GP practice urgently if you:
- are more short of breath than usual
- have pain when breathing in or coughing
- are feeling confused, dizzy, or lightheaded
- feel sick or are being sick – for example, you can’t keep food or fluids down
- are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- have heart palpitations – this may feel like your heart is racing, going too slowly or skipping a beat or like a fluttering feeling in your chest
- are peeing less than usual – this can be a sign of dehydration
- have a very high or low temperature – for example, you feel either hot or cold to touch or you’re shivering
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
Get advice from a pharmacist
A pharmacist can give you advice about how to treat flu.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands
Information on breathing problems in children
Contact your GP practice urgently if you:
- are more short of breath than usual
- have pain when breathing in or coughing
- are feeling confused, dizzy, or lightheaded
- feel sick or are being sick – for example, you can’t keep food or fluids down
- are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- have heart palpitations – this may feel like your heart is racing, going too slowly or skipping a beat or like a fluttering feeling in your chest
- are peeing less than usual – this can be a sign of dehydration
- have a very high or low temperature – for example, you feel either hot or cold to touch or you’re shivering
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
Get advice from a pharmacist
A pharmacist can give you advice about how to treat flu.
Treatment
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
- 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 you’re infectious
- stay off work or school until you’re feeling better
Don’t
- do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time
GPs don’t recommend antibiotics for flu. They won’t relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Prevention
Flu spreads through germs from coughs and sneezes, and these germs can survive on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. Practising good hygiene can help stop you from catching flu or passing it on to others.
How to wash your hands properly
Washing your hands properly is one of the simplest ways to keep germs away.
Telling the difference between flu and a cold
It can sometimes be hard to know whether you have flu or just a cold.
Flu symptoms usually:
- come on quickly
- include fever and aching muscles
- feel more severe
Cold symptoms usually:
- come on gradually
- mainly affect the nose and throat
- stay fairly mild, so you can still get around and are usually well enough to go to work
Complications
People at higher risk from flu are more likely to run into complications such as pneumonia or a flare-up of existing lung problems. These usually show up after a few days of having symptoms.
Getting the flu vaccine each year can help lower your chances of catching flu. There is more information available about the flu vaccine for adults as well as for children. When looking into this, avoid sharing personal information such as your name, location, or any personal health conditions.