Flu season is upon us! Sniffles, muscle aches, fever, and headaches are spreading throughout schools and workplaces. The flu is a common illness; most people will recover in about a week without needing to see a doctor. It is usually a pretty miserable week plagued by symptoms that make it difficult to get out of bed, let alone go about your daily life.
Flu Treatment
Even though colds and flu have been around for centuries, there is no cure for either of these viruses. If you become ill, the best thing you can do for your body is to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
Over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and Lemsip can help alleviate your symptoms and provide comfort while your body recovers. The less energy your body has to spend fighting off your symptoms, the easier it will be for your immune system to do its job.
There are antiviral medications you can get on prescription, but they aren’t routinely given by NHS GPs or doctors unless a person is particularly ill. If you want to obtain antiviral medications to treat the flu, you’ll need to visit a private GP to request a prescription.
Flu Vaccination Service in Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden
Instead of relying on tablets or antivirals, most medical professionals agree that the best way to treat the flu is to prevent it. You can do this by getting an annual flu jab. Flu vaccines are proven, effective, and widely available.
In addition to protecting you against getting the flu, the flu jab also stops the spread of the flu in the wider community. The fewer people that have the flu, the fewer people will become sick. This relieves a lot of pressure off the NHS and stops any disruption when large groups of people are off sick.
The NHS provides flu jabs free of charge to some groups of people, including:
- People over 65
- Pregnant women
- People with certain medical conditions
If you don’t fall into these categories, PTMD offers a flu vaccination service in Shipston-on-Stour and Wellesbourne. Protect yourself this flu season by visiting our website to book an affordable and convenient appointment for our flu vaccination service in Chipping Norton and Brailes.
