Flu
Who do I see?
Advice:
Flu (influenza) is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes. It can be very unpleasant, but you’ll usually begin to feel better within about a week. If you’re otherwise fit and healthy, there’s usually no need to contact your GP. The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary.
If you take regular prescribed medicines, for example, to control high blood pressure or diabetes, you may need to consider temporarily stopping some of these during a dehydrating illness. Please follow the advice here.
Antibiotics do not work for Flu because it is caused by a virus.
Stay off work or school until you’re feeling better. For most people, this will take about a week.
See the NHS Inform website for further information about flu and how to treat it yourself at home. You can also complete the symptom checker at NHS Inform to know when you should seek further advice.
You might need to seek further advice if:
- you’re 65 years of age or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition – such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease
- you have a weakened immune system – for example because you’re having chemotherapy or have HIV
- you develop chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or start coughing up blood
- your flu symptoms are getting worse over time or haven’t improved after a week
If you need to seek further advice from us, please submit an online medical consultation request for the Urgent Medical Problem Team giving us as much information about your problem as you can. You will get a same-day response usually by telephone or a time to attend the surgery for further assessment and examination.
Further information about flu is available from NHS inform.
If you cannot use the online service please call us on 0345 337 1120 and a member of the care navigation team will help you.