Symptoms and self care

Many people confuse the symptoms of a cold with those of flu – the main difference is that with flu there is a sudden onset of a high temperature.

Symptoms of seasonal flu include sudden onset of fever, plus two or more of the following:

• unusual tiredness 

• headache

• runny nose

• sore throat

• shortness of breath or cough

• loss of appetite 

• aching muscles

• diarrhoea or vomiting

The best advice for treating flu in healthy adults is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take pain relievers such as paracetamol.   For the majority of people it is a self-limiting illness – your symptoms should peak within two-to-three days, and you should start to feel better within four-to-five days.

In young children under five and particularly infants under one, it is very difficult to distinguish influenza and its complications from other respiratory viral infections and other treatable diseases. Infants should always be reviewed by a health care professional (usually a GP).

If your symptoms suddenly get worse or your condition deteriorates, you should telephone your GP for advice. You can find out how to take someone’s temperature here >>>

There are a number of useful websites with information about how to self-treat for colds and flu, as well as other common complaints.

• For details of health services in  Blackburn with Darwen visit the Choose Well pages,

• Information can also be found at www.nhs.uk;

• and a series of short-films giving advice are available at www.youtube.com/nwnhs. 

NHS Direct provide a 24 hour telephone advice service and can be contacted on 0845 4647.