TYPICAL flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include headache, fever, cough, sore throat and aches and pains.
Contact your doctor or NHS Direct if you develop symptoms and you’re pregnant or have an ongoing condition such as diabetes, heart or chest disease, including asthma, or cancer.
NHS Direct: 0845 4647
That’s because you may need Tamiflu or another anti-viral drug.
If you’re normally well, it can be safe to treat yourself at home.
Rest, drink plenty of fluids to combat dehydration and have honey and lemon to ease your cough and sore throat. Painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen help lower temperature and relieve aches and pains.
Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen, especially if you cough up blood, develop chest pain, or have trouble breathing.
Try to limit the spread of flu by sneezing into a tissue and discarding it. Wash hands often.
Flu symptoms in kids are similar.
If you think your child has flu, talk to your doctor. the more ill your child seems to be, the less you should delay.
While most of the deaths from flu so far have been swine flu, there are other strains around.
This year it seems that the under-65s are most at risk, especially pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.