It was reported in the Mirror on 2 January that British people had been told to book an “urgent” GP appointment if symptoms don’t improve after seven days. This was part of what the NHS is said to have called potentially the “worst” flu season yet.
The NHS has warned people when to seek help as cases of flu, alongside other winter illnesses, remain high in the UK.
It was noted that: “flu, or influenza, is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system. This causes symptoms such as a high temperature, cough, and sore throat. It usually gets better on its own – but some people can become seriously unwell. This has recently been a problem in the UK, placing extra pressure on the NHS as more people are being admitted to hospital with the illness.”
Flu symptoms include “a high temperature, body aches and a cough among others”.
Advice if you have flu
NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, was quoted as explaining as follows:
“The winter flu season has not only hit the NHS early this year, but it is potentially on track to be one of the worst we have ever seen, as the quademic continues to increase pressure across services.
“Frontline NHS staff are currently under significant pressure – and as families and friends have gathered over the festive period and to celebrate the new year, we expect the peak of seasonal viruses is yet to come.”
Prof Powis refers to a quademic, which can be described as a: “surge in cases of flu alongside Covid, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).”
Prof Powis, speaking on New Year’s Eve, added: “Firstly, I’d like to thank NHS staff – despite huge demand, they continue to work tirelessly to keep patients safe and provide them with the best possible care. Anyone who needs medical support should continue to use services as normal – 999 and A&E only in an emergency, and for other urgent health needs, use NHS 111 or 111 online.”
Symptoms of flu
With this in mind it is important to look out for any symptoms of flu:
- Sudden high temperature
- Aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
Steps you can take
There are plenty of steps you can take at home to relieve symptoms if you think you have flu and help yourself to recover. These include “getting plenty of rest and sleep, staying warm, and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated”.
The NHS also recommends taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains. But it was also noted that, “if it is for a child you must check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you’re not sure”.
When to book a GP appointment
The NHS says that you should book an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your symptoms do not improve after seven days. It also advises doing this if you or your child have symptoms of flu and:
- You’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- You’re 65 or over
- You’re 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
Vaccine
According to the NHS you can get vaccinated against flu if:
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Vaccine and children
The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is given to:
- children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2024 (born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2022)
- all primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
- some secondary school children (Year 7 to Year 11)
- children aged 2 to 17 with certain long-term health conditions
- Babies and children aged 6 months to 2 years with certain health conditions will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
- find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (if you’re aged 18 or over)
- contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service, care home, or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker.
Children aged two and three years old can get the children’s flu vaccine at their GP surgery. School-aged children will get their vaccine through their school or a community clinic.
“Try to avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.”
