Influenza: care and when to seek help early
Flu can be mild or serious. If at higher risk, seek advice early when symptoms start; severe symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment.
Not everyone with flu has a fever
Influenza is a respiratory viral infection. Cough, muscle aches and fatigue may start suddenly, without fever in some people. Symptoms overlap with colds and other infections; symptoms alone do not identify the virus with certainty.
Who should seek early advice?
Pregnant people, young children, older adults and those with chronic conditions or immunosuppression should seek early assessment. Antivirals can be more useful when started early, but do not assume there is no benefit after two days and avoid seeking care. A clinician decides whether treatment is needed.
Home-care checklist
- Rest and maintain fluids, following any prescribed personal fluid restriction.
- Do not combine cold remedies containing the same active ingredient; check children’s medicines for age suitability.
- Antibiotics do not treat the flu virus. Herbal products or steam treatments do not replace medical assessment.
Protecting others
Limit close contact while ill, improve ventilation and practise hand and cough hygiene. A mask can add protection. Discuss personal flu-vaccine suitability and timing; vaccination is not a guarantee against infection but can reduce severe illness.
Do not delay care for worsening illness
Seek prompt assessment for breathlessness, inability to drink, reduced urine or deterioration after improving. Call 112 for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, blue colouring or altered consciousness. Do not dismiss fever and inability to feed in a young baby as ordinary flu.
Information sources
These sources support general information; they do not confirm our hospital’s services or clinical approval.
This information is general and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your own situation with your healthcare team.
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