Got Flu? Stay Home say health chiefs

“Got flu? Stay home" is the message for winter flu sufferers say health chiefs in Coventry and Warwickshire as services see a rising tide of winter sniffles and worse.

Across the UK, the NHS has been seeing a rise in calls about cold/flu symptoms, fever in 5-14 year olds, and vomiting, which, in past years, have been the best early indications of a rise in flu and flu-like illness.

Public health leaders are urging people who think they might be suffering from flu to stay away from Accident and Emergency, where they would just infect other people, drink fluids and take paracetamol (or paracetamol-based cold and flu remedies). People who are in at-risk groups, such as older people, people with long term medical conditions and pregnant women are urged to have a free flu jab to protect them, available from their GP practice.

Helen King, Deputy Director of Public Health for NHS Warwickshire, said: “If you've got flu, the best thing to do is stay at home, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol. Whatever you do, please don't go to Accident and Emergency. They won't be able to do anything about flu, and you will just be infecting other people who may already have serious health problems. If symptoms persist, ring your GP surgery for advice."

John Forde, Acting Director of Public Health for NHS Coventry said: “I want to urge anyone in an at-risk group, such as older people, people with long term medical conditions such as respiratory problems, and mums-to-be to get a free flu jab before they get the flu. You can avoid a vast amount of winter misery by taking this simple precaution. Contact your GP surgery for an appointment."

Key messages from public health doctors:

• Got flu? Stay home. If you start getting the symptoms of flu, don't soldier on into work, and definitely don't go into A&E. You will just spread it around.
• The best thing for flu symptoms is to drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol. If your symptoms persist, or you're otherwise worried, ring your GP surgery for advice.
• Take up the offer of a free flu-jab if you are over 65, have a long term condition, or are pregnant. At risk groups include.
  Asthma, diabetes, chest/respiratory conditions, heart condition, kidney or liver disease, neurological like multiple sclerosis, lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as cancer treatment.