Flu is an infection of your respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs) that is common, especially during the wintertime. The common symptoms that are associated with the flu are:

• Sore throat
• Headache
• Sickness or feeling sick
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cough
• Body aches
• Fever

With all of these affects you may find it increasingly difficult to carry out daily activities, therefore it is important to rest during this time.

Is having the flu serious?

Over the last 2 years, 18,000 people have died because of flu. Even those who are healthy can still be admitted to hospital or ever die from the it, however this is more common for older adults with long term health conditions, pregnant women and young children.

Treatments and Preventions

If you have contracted flu, you can ease your symptoms by taking paracetamol, resting, keeping warm and drinking fluids. If you feel that your symptoms are getting worse, it’s important that you either contact your GP or dial 999 if it’s an emergency.

The virus is spread from person to person and is extremely infectious. You can spread the flu before your symptoms have even started, especially in the first five days before they occur. It is spread through germs from coughs or sneezes and these germs can live on surfaces (including hands) for 24 hours.

Because of how the virus is spread, it’s important to implement infection control measures such as frequently washing your hands, ventilation, covering your mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing or by wearing a mask. While these measures won’t always stop it from being spread, they do help prevent it. The most effective prevention method is having your flu vaccine.

Working in care

Working within the care sector means that you are often working with service users who are vulnerable. Because they are vulnerable, they are more susceptible to illnesses, like flu, and these illnesses that may have little effect on us can have a more severe effect on our service users and could even be fatal.

Working in the care sector makes you eligible for a free flu vaccine. The vaccine will help to protect you as well as your more vulnerable service users. You can book your vaccine through the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/book-flu-vaccination/