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Influenza or flu is a
viral illness that often occurs in
outbreaks over winter.
It usually starts suddenly with fever
(39-40 degrees), headache and muscle
ache. The fever disappears over 3-5
days. It may take up to 2 weeks to
recover fully.
Flu cannot be treated with antibiotics
and is usually not dangerous. It can
occasionally lead to ear infections or
pneumonia. These can be treated by your
doctor.
Flu vaccination can reduce your chance
of catching flu by 70%.The vaccination
is available on the NHS for over 65's,
patients with asthma, diabetes or heart
disease and certain other ?at-risk?
groups. It is available from October
every year.
Self care
Adults and
Children over 12
Drink plenty. Keep room
ventilated. Try to avoid
coughing over others and wash
hands regularly to prevent
droplet spread of infection.
You can take paracetamol 1000mg
4 times a day for the ache and
fever and can also add ibuprofen
400mg 3 times a day if needed.
Children under 12
Children will not want to eat.
You can give extra fluids and
semi solid food such as yoghurt
and porridge. Give regular
paracetamol liquid and or
ibuprofen liquid.
DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN TO UNDER
16's
When to contact your doctor
In under
12?s
- if fever
not reduced by 4th day
- child
refuses to drink
- has not
passed urine during the day
- if child
increasingly unwell,
vomiting or confused
Contact
doctor immediately if
- child
breathless or gasping
- pain
with breathing
-
drowsy or confused
-
cannot talk or react to
you
- child
cannot sit up or cannot
bend head forward
- get a
rash
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