Flu

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include: a sudden high temperature an aching body feeling tired or exhausted a dry cough a sore throat a headache difficulty sleeping loss of appetite The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear, sore eyes, swollen glands and appear less active.

If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly. Do rest and sleep take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they're distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you're not sure drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear) Don't do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16 A pharmacist can help with flu A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies. Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time as it's easy to take more than the recommended dose. Find a pharmacy

Flu is very infectious and easily spreads to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days after getting infected. Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. To reduce the risk of spreading flu: wash your hands often with warm water and soap cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand) bin used tissues as quickly as possible Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature, feel hot, cold or shivery, or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to some adults and children at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.