What do I need to know about flu
Why is flu not just a bad cold?
What is flu?
Flu is not the same as a cold. It is caused by a different group of viruses and the symptoms usually start more quickly, can be more serious and last a week or more.1,2
You can catch flu throughout the year, but it is especially common during winter (October to February). This is why it is also known as 'seasonal flu'.1 Flu causes a seasonal epidemic every year.3
Who can get flu?
Anyone can catch flu, even if they feel healthy. Most people make a full recovery and will not experience any further problems.1 However, the elderly, pregnant people, children and people with certain pre-existing health conditions may be at a greater risk of flu-related complications.1,4
It can also be hard to tell who has flu; about 1 in 3 people infected by the flu virus will not show any symptoms but can still spread it.5
Talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further information or advice about how to help prevent catching or spreading flu.1
How does flu make you feel and how do you spread it?
What are the symptoms of flu?
You can start to feel symptoms of flu quickly and could spend a week or more with:1,2
A fever
(38°C or above)
A headache
Body aches and pains
Chills
Tummy pain and diarrhoea
Feeling sick and being sick
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Feeling tired
(while also having trouble sleeping)
A dry chesty cough
A sore throat
These may not be the entire list of signs and symptoms of Flu. Please always speak to your healthcare professional if you have any of the above symptoms and they can help find out the cause.
You should begin to feel much better within a week or so, although you may feel tired 1, meaning you and your loved ones could miss out on the moments that are important to you.
How is flu spread?
The flu virus is contained in millions of tiny droplets that come out of the mouth and nose when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes.1
In the air
Droplets maybe suspended and are able to spread about two metres. If you breathe them in you may develop flu.1,6
On surfaces
Droplets may land on surfaces like food, door handles, computer keyboards etc., where they can survive for up to 24 hours. You may develop flu if you touch these contaminated surfaces and then your nose and mouth.1
Talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further information or advice about how to help prevent catching or spreading flu.1
References
- NHS Inform Scotland. Flu. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/flu [Last accessed September 2021]
- NHS. Flu. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/ [Last accessed September 2021]
- World Health Organization. Influenza (seasonal). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal) [Last accessed September 2021]
- NHS. Flu vaccine. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ [Last accessed September 2021]
- Vaccine Knowledge Project. Influenza (flu). https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/influenza-flu [Last accessed September 2021]
- CDC. How Flu Spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm [Last accessed September 2021]
Continue