Flu cases are on the rise and there are a number of things people can do to help get better more quickly. These include: 

• Resting and sleeping
• Keeping warm
• Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower body temperature and to soothe aches and pains
• Giving paracetamol or ibuprofen to children when distressed or uncomfortable
• Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration 
• Speaking to a pharmacist, who can help with flu

GPs do no recommend antibiotics for flu as they will not work for viral infections and will not relieve symptoms or speed up your recovery. 

If you are poorly, it is also important to wear a mask if going out in public to limit the spread of illness. 

Call NHS 111 to ask for help when: 

• Worried about a baby’s or child’s symptoms
• A person is 65 or over
• A person is pregnant
• A person has a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
• A person has a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
• Symptoms do not improve after seven days

Please visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu for more information.