Flu – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Flu is an infection caused by a virus. The virus infects your lungs and upper airways.

Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It’s important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.

Check if you have flu

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

• a sudden high temperature of 38 degrees or above
• aches and pains
• feeling tired or exhausted
• a dry cough
• a sore throat
• a headache
• difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea or tummy pain
• feeling sick and being sick

The symptoms of flu are similar for children. But they can also get a pain in their ear and seem to be less active.

How to treat flu at home

There are some things you can do to help ease symptoms and get better more quickly.

These include:

• get rest and sleep
• keep warm
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
• drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

A pharmacist can help with flu

A pharmacist can give you treatment advice and recommend flu remedies.

Avoid flu remedies that contain paracetamol if you’re already taking paracetamol. Check this with your pharmacist.

Phone a pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them.

Visit the Hse website for further information :

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/symptoms-diagnosis/