HEALTH chiefs are asking residents to help prevent the spread of flu.
Dr Helen Carter, deputy director at Public Health England (PHE) West Midlands, said more people were visiting GPs and being admitted to hospital with flu and that there was a mix of strains, including the winter UK virus from last year and an Australian one.
She added vaccine was the best defence to prevent the spread of flu and it was not too late for people in ‘at risk’ groups, such as over 65s, pregnant women or those with a long-term medical condition to get vaccinated.
Symptoms of flu include sudden onset of fever, cough as well as a sore throat, aching muscles and joints.
Sufferers should rest, keep warm, drink plenty of water and take paracetomol and ibuprofen to lower high temperatures and relieve aches where needed.
Tissues should be used to catch coughs and sneezes and be binned afterwards, hands should be washed regularly with soap and warm water and contact with others should be avoided.
Anyone concerned about their symptoms should stay at home and contact their GP or call NHS 111 to seek further advice.
Most healthy people can recover from flu in about a week but it can be more severe for those more vulnerable.
Visit www.gov.uk/government/statistics/weekly-national-flu-reports for the national weekly flu report.
