--- title: "Flu: symptoms, vaccine and NHS help | HealthAnswers" description: "Flu comes on fast with fever, aches and exhaustion. Learn how it differs from a cold or COVID-19, who needs the vaccine, and when to call 999." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/flu/ robots: noindex --- # Flu: symptoms, vaccine and NHS help | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Flu comes on fast with fever, aches and exhaustion. Learn how it differs from a cold or COVID-19, who needs the vaccine, and when to call 999. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [Dr Neil Singh MBChB - nMRCGP](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/neil-singh/) · GMC 7039648 Reviewed 13 August 2026 ## Quick answer What is flu and when should I get help? Flu is a viral infection that usually comes on suddenly with a high temperature, muscle aches and exhaustion. Most people recover in about a week with rest and fluids. Antibiotics do not help. The annual vaccine reduces risk for people who are offered it. Call 999 for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or confusion. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Flu (influenza), including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 6 sections ## Key facts about flu - Flu usually comes on suddenly and makes you too exhausted for normal life. - It is viral, so antibiotics do not treat it. - Most people improve in about a week; a cough can linger. - The annual flu vaccine is the main prevention for people who are eligible. ## Should I use this page, or skip it? Use this page if you feel suddenly feverish, achy and exhausted and want to know whether that is flu, what to do at home, and when to get help. Skip it and call 999 for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion or blue lips. Skip it and use NHS 111 if you are getting worse today and are not sure where to go. This page cannot tell you which virus you have. For a side-by-side pattern, use the [cold, flu or COVID-19 helper](https://healthanswers.co.uk/health-tools/cold-flu-or-covid/). ## What does flu feel like compared with a cold? Flu usually arrives quickly. A high temperature, muscle aches, headache, chills and a sense that you cannot get out of bed are typical. A dry cough and sore throat are common. A [common cold](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/common-cold/) more often starts with a blocked or runny nose and sneezing, and you can often keep going. You can still have flu without every symptom. You can also have [COVID-19](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/covid-19/) with the same picture. Treat severe symptoms as urgent regardless of the label. Children can become unwell faster. If a child is struggling to breathe, is floppy or unresponsive, or you are very worried, call 999. For urgent uncertainty, use 111. ## What should I do at home? Rest, drink fluids, and sleep as much as you can. A pharmacist can advise on [paracetamol](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/paracetamol/) or [ibuprofen](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/ibuprofen/) if they are suitable. Check labels so you do not double up paracetamol from a “cold and flu” powder. Antibiotics will not shorten flu. Do not take leftover [antibiotics](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/antibiotics/). Antiviral medicines are sometimes used for people at higher risk — only if a clinician decides they are appropriate. Stay at home while you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for normal activities. That protects other people as well as you. Honey and lemon can soothe a throat; do not give honey to babies under 12 months. A [cough](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/cough/) can linger after the fever has gone. See a GP if it lasts more than 3 weeks, or you cough up blood. ## Who should get the flu vaccine? If the NHS offers you the annual flu vaccine, take it. It does not give you flu. It reduces the chance of catching flu and of becoming seriously unwell. It does not stop colds. It is routinely offered to older adults, pregnant people, young children in eligible age groups, people with certain long-term conditions, and some health and social-care staff. A pharmacist or GP can confirm whether you are eligible this season. See [flu vaccine](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/flu-vaccine/). If you are eligible and have not been invited, contact the GP practice or a pharmacy that provides NHS flu vaccines. Do not wait for a hospital admission to think about it. ## When is flu an emergency? Call 999 if you have severe difficulty breathing, sudden chest pain, confusion, coughing up blood, or lips or a face that look blue. Do not drive yourself. Use NHS 111 if you are pregnant, over 65, have a long-term condition or a weakened immune system, and you are getting worse or not improving. A secondary chest infection can follow flu; that still needs assessment, not another day of hoping. Call 111 in England, Scotland (NHS 24) and Wales; in Northern Ireland use GP out-of-hours on nidirect. A pharmacist can advise on pain relief — find a GPhC-registered pharmacy on [Pick My Pharmacy](https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/). If you live with someone who is at higher risk, keep your distance while you are feverish, and remind them they can still have their vaccine. ## Who is this page not for? This page is not a test for COVID-19. It is not a reason to go to A&E with a typical fever and aches. It is not advice to give adult tablets to a child. If your main problem is a blocked nose and you are still functioning, start with the [common cold](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/common-cold/) page and a pharmacist. ## ! When to see a GP about flu Contact a GP or NHS 111 if you are no better after about a week, you suddenly get worse, you are pregnant, over 65, or you have a long-term heart, lung, kidney or immune condition. Call **999** for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, confusion, or blue lips. ## Common questions about flu What is the difference between flu and a cold? Colds usually come on gradually and mainly affect the nose and throat. Flu usually comes on quickly with a high temperature, aching muscles and exhaustion that can put you to bed. You cannot always tell them apart at home. Use our cold, flu or COVID helper if you want the pattern in one place. How long does flu last? Many people start to feel better within about a week. Tiredness and a cough can last longer. If you are not improving after a week, or you get suddenly worse, seek advice rather than waiting it out. Do antibiotics treat flu? No. Flu is caused by a virus. Antibiotics only treat bacteria. Rest, fluids and pharmacy pain relief if they are safe for you are the usual treatment. Antivirals are sometimes used for people at higher risk — that is a clinician’s decision. Should I get the flu vaccine? If the NHS offers it to you, yes — it is the best way to reduce your chance of flu and of becoming seriously unwell. It is free for eligible groups, including older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with certain conditions. It does not prevent colds. Is it flu or COVID-19? They overlap. A new continuous cough, high temperature or a change in smell or taste can be COVID-19. Follow current NHS COVID-19 advice. Severe breathing difficulty or chest pain is 999 either way. Can I take paracetamol and ibuprofen? A pharmacist can advise. Paracetamol suits more people. Ibuprofen is not safe for everyone. Never take more than the pack allows, and do not double up with a cold-and-flu remedy that already contains paracetamol. Who is more likely to become seriously unwell? Older adults, pregnant people, young children, and people with heart, lung, kidney or immune conditions. That is why the vaccine is offered to those groups, and why 111 is a low bar if they get worse. ## Sources - [NHS — Flu](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/) - [NHS — Flu vaccine](https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/) - [NHS — Common cold](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/) - [NHS — COVID-19](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/) - [NHS — When to call 999](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-call-999/)