Charles Michie Chemists

Reducing your risk

The best way to avoid getting flu is to keep your immune system strong by eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise, getting enough rest and relaxation and not smoking.

You should also avoid people who are coughing and sneezing especially if they are not covering their mouth and nose. The flu virus changes every year so those in at-risk groups are advised to have a flu vaccination each year.

Everyone over the age of 65 is advised to have a flu jab. The vaccination is also recommended for all those who have always been advised to have it. These include people with; lung disease, for example asthma; heart disease; kidney disease; diabetes; lowered immunity because of their medical conditions or treatment; and all those living in residential or nursing homes, or similar long-stay facilities.

Cold or flu?

A cold starts with feeling unwell, sniffling and a runny or blocked nose. You should 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.

The viruses start with a high fever, headache, feeling hot and cold, weakness, muscles 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 you feel fully recovered. Tehre 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. Aspirin should never be given to children under 16 years.

How can your pharmacist help?

Pharmacists are highly trained 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 you 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
If you are elderly or have a chronic health condition
If you feel seriously unwell
If 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 infections. 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 yogurts.
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 of 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 out 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.