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.
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 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 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 or 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. 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 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.
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.
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 page and a pharmacist.
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.