Flu is doing the rounds at the moment, and most of us know someone who is ill from it at present or has had it over the past few weeks. All of the socialising we did over the festive season has enabled flu to spread more widely, but what should you do if you find yourself struck down with the dreaded illness?
Flu Symptoms
Firstly, it’s important to know the symptoms to distinguish flu from a cold. Flu is often accompanied by fever or chills, a sudden, high temperature, a dry and persistent cough, a sore throat, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue and a runny or stuffy nose.
The key differences between flu and a cold is that flu hits fast while colds develop slowly, and flu symptoms are much more severe, rendering you unable to function. If you become ill, it is recommended to stay home to avoid spreading the virus.
Speaking on RTÉ News, Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer with the HSE, urged people with flu to avoid contact with people who are vulnerable, and recommended the flu vaccine to those who haven’t had it.
“The advice we give to people is to take paracetamol, ibuprofen, lots of fluids, stay inside, stay at home, and avoid contact with people who may be more vulnerable than you,” he said.
“It’s very late in the vaccine season but nevertheless it is not too late if people want to avail of the vaccines. We are still offering them through GPs and pharmacists.”
How to treat flu
For those without additional risk factors, the HSE says that there are ways of treating flu at home to help ease symptoms and get better more quickly.
These include:
- Rest, sleep and keeping warm. Staying in bed is advised to allow your immune system to focus on recovery.
- Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration and replenish losses from fever.
- Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches, pains and fever.
Comfort measures
If you have a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water, use a humidifier to soothe dry airways, and try steam inhalation for congestion.
You may not have an appetite, so it is recommended to eat light, nutritious meals like soup.
People with additional risk factors
For some people, flu can lead to more serious illness or complications, such as pneumonia. bronchitis and ear infections. It can also cause some existing conditions to get worse, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure. If you are worried, or have sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or you start coughing up blood, call 999 or 112 or go to your emergency department.
For those people who are vulnerable, who have underlying illness, chronic illness, or whose immune suppression isn’t working so well, Dr Henry’s advice is to make early contact with the health services to ensure that they are getting the appropriate advice in the event that they deteriorate.
The HSE recommends getting urgent GP advice if:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or older
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition such as diabetes or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, due to chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after seven days
Can the pharmacy help?
A pharmacist can give you treatment advice and recommend flu remedies, and it is important to note that you should avoid flu remedies that contain paracetamol if you’re already taking it for something else.
The HSE suggests phoning your pharmacy or contacting them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them.
Should you take an antibiotic?
It is important to note that antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as flu, and they will not relieve symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Future measures
While it might be too late for the current bout of flu, boosting our immune systems is something that we should be aiming for to provide the best defence against illness for the future.
Amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre provide the essential building blocks of immune cells, and it is recommended to follow a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, as well as protein sources like fish, meat or plant-based alternatives.
Vaccinations
Get vaccinated against flu, and vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting you against harmful diseases, before you come into contact with them. It uses your body’s natural defences to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger.
The HSE has a guide to pharmacies offering the flu vaccine here, or you can contact HSE Live on Freephone 1800 700 700 for further information on providers in your locality.
