THURSDAY, 04 JANUARY, 2018

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Looking after the flu at home

Dr Jackie Hyland, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with NHS Tayside, shares some useful tips on how to look after yourself at home if you are suffering from the flu or a flu-like illnesses.

In the past few weeks, the public will be aware that the NHS has been seeing an increase in the number of people suffering from flu-like illnesses.

There are many bugs and viruses currently circulating in the community, including flu, and therefore to help reduce the spread of infection, members of the public are being asked to avoid visiting their friends and relatives in hospitals if they are suffering from respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms themselves. This will help reduce the spread of illness amongst patients and staff.

People can also reduce the chance of picking up infections by washing their hands regularly, using tissues for coughs and sneezes and disposing of tissues in the bin.

Dr Hyland said, “If you have flu, you generally start to feel ill within a few days of being infected but you should begin to feel much better within a week or so.

“The main symptoms of flu include a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above, tiredness and weakness, a headache, general aches and pains and a dry, chesty cough.

“Cold-like symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat, can also be caused by flu, but they tend to be less severe than the other symptoms you may have.

“The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary. Stay off work or school until you're feeling better. For most people, this will take about a week.”

Flu can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you have to stay in bed and rest until you feel better. If you're otherwise fit and healthy, there's usually no need to see a doctor if you have flu-like symptoms. Consider visiting your GP if:

• you're 65 years of age or over

• you're pregnant

• you have a long-term medical condition – such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease

• you have a weakened immune system – for example, because you're having chemotherapy or have HIV

• you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or start coughing up blood

• your symptoms are getting worse over time or haven't improved after a week

For further information see https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/flu

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138