Autumn and winter are the times when you're most likely to catch flu.
For most people, it will mean a few days in bed and feeling under the weather for up to a month until the virus clears your body. For others it can cause serious complications and even kill.
Have a flu jab
If you're ‘at risk (over 65, pregnant or suffering from a long-term illness) and you’re invited to have a free flu jab, please take up your GP's offer and go get the jab. Please also encourage family and friends who have also been invited to go too. The flu jab is the best protection against seasonal or winter flu.
Over 65s, pregnant women and people suffering from long-term illnesses are those most at risk of developing complications and becoming seriously ill if they catch flu. While not an absolute guarantee of remaining flu-free, a simple, quick and pretty painless flu jab will greatly lower the risk of seriously illness.
The vaccine can't and doesn't give you flu as there's no live flu virus in it.
Stop the spread of flu
The flu virus spreads through coughs, sneezes and touch.
If you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, bin the tissue as soon as possible and wash or clean your hands as soon you can you'll stop the virus spreading and reduce the risk of other people catching it.
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness, lasting a week to ten days. Symptoms include a fever, shivering, severe muscle pains and a headache. It may also cause a nasty cough, sore throat and a stuffy nose. If you do catch flu, stay at home, keep warm, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Cleaning hard surfaces such as door handles, computer keyboards and mice, telephones and remote controls with normal cleaning products will also reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
People who are generally healthy should recover quite quickly. This is why we don't offer flu jabs to everyone.
Think you have flu? Find out about symptoms and self care
