There are things people can do to help get better from flu more quickly.
These include:
- Resting and sleeping
- Keeping warm
- Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower body temperature and to soothe aches and pains
- Giving paracetamol or ibuprofen to children when distressed or uncomfortable
- Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
- Speaking to a pharmacist, who can help with flu
Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as flu. GPs do not recommend antibiotics for flu because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 when:
- Worried about a baby’s or child’s symptoms
- A person is 65 or over
- A person is pregnant
- A person has a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- A person has a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- Symptoms do not improve after seven days
Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu for more information.