FLU ?
What can you do ?
Flu Vaccinations
Your are eligible for a flu vaccination if you:
- are over 65
- have a health condition such as:
- asthma
- diabetes
- a chest or kidney condition
- chronic liver disease
- or heart disease
- are the main carer for someone who is elderly or disabled.
Ask at your GP practice for further information.
Either anchored link to the following or separate pages with the following as a type of contents page
Feeling unwell ?
What can you do ?
What could you take ?
How can your pharmacist help ?
Should you contact your doctor ?
Might you have complications ?
A child with flu ?
Why don’t you need an antibiotic ?
Feeling unwell ?
A cold starts with feeling unwell, sniffling and a runny or a blocked nose. You could also have sneezing, sore throat, hoarseness and you might have a slight temperature.
Flu is more severe than a cold. If you have muscle aches, fever and headache you may have flu or one of the many flu-like viruses that are around every winter.
These viruses start with a high fever, headache, feeling hot and cold, weakness, muscle aches, sore throat and chestiness. You may literally feel knocked flat. You might not be able to do anything except go to bed until the worst of the illness has passed.
The fever generally disappears within a week, but it may be several weeks before your feel fully recovered. There are no medicines that can cure colds or flu. But there is plenty you can do to relieve the symptoms.
What can you do ?
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially hot, fruity drinks.
- A high temperature can cause mild dehydration. This can make you feel even worse. So rest or go to bed.
- Keep the room well-ventilated and don’t wrap up too well – try to cool down.
- Try to avoid infecting other people. Stay off school or work until you feel really better.
What could you take ?
- Take paracetamol regularly, following the dosage instructions. This will ease the headache.
- Alternatives are aspirin or ibuprofen, which are good for muscular pain. Both aspirin and ibuprofen may cause indigestion, especially if taken on an empty stomach. So take them with some food or at least milk. If you have a history of indigestion or other stomach problems, avoid these medicines altogether. Remember you should not take aspirin or ibuprofen if you have asthma, as any degree of worsening of asthma may be related to taking these painkillers. Aspirin should never be given to children under 16 years.
How can your pharmacist help ?
Pharmacists are highly-trained health professionals. They can advise on which over-the-counter medication will help your particular symptoms. They can also help with any queries you may have about medicines which your doctor has prescribed for you. Remember to tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other medication. Remember you don’t need an appointment to see your pharmacist.
Should you contact your doctor ?
If you are an adult who is usually healthy you should not need to contact your doctor unless –
- You do not feel better after about a week
- You have pain in your ears or in the sinuses around your eyes and nose
- You have a persistent high fever
You should contact your doctor if –
- You are concerned that your child may be seriously unwell
- You are elderly or have a chronic health condition
- You feel seriously unwell
- You get increasingly breathless
Might you have complications ?
If you were previously well, complications are unlikely, However if you have a bad chest, or were previously ill or frail, you could be prone to chest infection. Seek medical advice at an early stage.
A child with flu ?
- Don’t force your child to eat if he or she is ill and off their food. Give them extra drinks or ice lollies and runny food like yoghurt.
- Remember not to give aspirin to any child under 16.
- Give paracetamol to help relieve headache. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.
- Buy a preparation appropriate to the child’s age.
Why don’t you need an antibiotic ?
Please don’t expect your doctor to prescribe an antibiotic for a cold or flu. These drugs don’t work against viral infections like these. You might feel pretty bad but these illnesses do generally get better on their own.
Doctors are not keen to give antibiotics unless there is a real need. There are two reasons for this. Firstly because using antibiotics too much – or when they are not needed – encourages bacteria to become resistant. This means the antibiotic will no longer be effective against these bacteria. Secondly. Antibiotics themselves can have side effects such as diarrhoea, skin rashes and stomach upsets.
If you would like to find out more about self-treating common health problems ask your pharmacist or call the free Healthline 0500 20 20 30 or Email:
To find out more about keeping healthy all year round, you can also call into a Health Point at:
Healthpoint
Aberdeen Indoor Market (In Shops)
8-10 Market Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5NX
Healthpoint
Denburn Health Centre
Aberdeen
AB25 1QB
Healthpoint
239 High Street
Elgin
IV30 1DJ
Email: