As the winter season takes hold, Brits are being urged to follow key steps if they find themselves battling a common winter illness—flu. The National Health Service (NHS) has sounded the alarm, emphasizing the importance of these measures to aid in a swift recovery, especially for those who are more susceptible to serious illness.

In a recent update shared on the social media platform X, the NHS underscored the importance of proactive recovery steps, stating, “If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly.” While flu can often resolve on its own, the NHS highlighted that it carries the potential to make certain individuals seriously ill. They also stressed the significance of getting vaccinated if you are eligible.

The NHS’s advice is straightforward and centers around four simple steps to follow if you contract the flu. These recommendations are particularly pertinent as flu continues to circulate at moderate levels across the UK.

Current data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that between December 15 and 21, flu activity saw a decrease across various metrics. However, it remains a prevalent concern, circulating at what officials describe as “medium levels.”

As part of this advice, it recommended four simple steps:

• 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

The recommendations come as flu continues to circulate at “medium levels” in the UK. Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that in the week of December 15 to 21, flu activity decreased across all indicators, “but is still circulating at medium levels”.

Flu had a weekly mean positivity rate of 17.2% compared with 21.1% in the previous week. Overall, flu hospitalisations were decreasing at 7.85 per 100,000 compared with 9.98 per 100,000 in the previous week.

Further to its advice about treating the illness, the NHS shared the following steps to help reduce the spread:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities

It added: “A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies.

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If you are worried about your symptoms, or you’re not getting better, call 111 or get help from 111 online.”

Symptoms of 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
• Diarrhoea or tummy pain
• Feeling sick and being sick

The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.