Latest NHS Covid and flu advice and list of symptoms as 'quad-demic' cases rise
by Catherine Addison-Swan · ChronicleLiveHouseholds across the UK have been reminded of the symptoms to look out for and how to treat themselves at home as cases of Covid-19 and flu spread this winter.
The NHS has warned of a so-called "quad-demic" that threatens to pile extra pressure on the health service in the coming weeks, which includes RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and norovirus as well as flu and Covid. Hospitals in England are managing "record flu levels" this month, the health service has confirmed, making it particularly important for patients to be aware of the warning signs so they can treat themselves at home and avoid spreading the virus to others where possible.
In addition, Covid is still circulating, with the head of the World Health Organisation saying earlier this month: "We cannot talk about Covid in the past tense. It's still with us, it still causes acute disease and long Covid, and it still kills."
Here is the latest NHS advice on symptoms of both flu and Covid, how to treat the illnesses, and when to seek help from a pharmacist, GP or hospital.
Covid symptoms
According to the NHS, symptoms of Covid-19 can include:
- High temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- New, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Aching body
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick
These symptoms are very similar to other illnesses such as colds and flu, so it can be difficult to distinguish between these and Covid unless you carry out a Covid test. While most people recover from Covid within a few weeks, according to the NHS, for some it can be a more serious illness with symptoms lasting longer.
How to treat Covid
While it's not always possible to treat Covid-19, there are some things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms. The NHS advises getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of water, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
If you have a cough, the health service recommends trying a teaspoon of honey, although remember you must not give this to babies under 12 months, and you can also ask your pharmacist for advice about cough treatments. For breathlessness, try turning the heating down or opening a window, or sitting upright in a chair.
If you or your child tests positive for Covid-19, the NHS advises trying to stay at home and avoiding contact with other people for five days if the positive test was for an adult, or three days for children under 18. However, you are no longer required to do a lateral flow test if you have symptoms.
The health service urges patients to call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if symptoms do not improve or get worse, particularly in those at increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid such as people aged 60 or over. You should also use one of these services if you have a baby aged six months or younger and you think they have a high temperature, or if you or your child has other signs of illness such as a rash, loss of appetite and weakness.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you become so breathless that you are unable to say short sentences, start coughing up blood, collapse, faint or have a seizure for the first time, or experience sudden chest pain. The NHS also recommends using the emergency services for your child if they seem very unwell.
If you fall in to one of the more vulnerable groups, you may be eligible for a Covid booster vaccine on the NHS. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Flu symptoms
Flu symptoms come on very quickly, the NHS advises, and can include:
- Sudden high temperature
- Aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
Children typically experience similar symptoms to adults, and they may also get pain in their ear.
How to treat flu
If treating flu yourself at home, the NHS recommends getting plenty of rest and sleep, keeping warm, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains - you can give these to your child if their symptoms are making them uncomfortable, but be sure to check the packaging to make sure it's suitable for them. It's also important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
If you feel you need extra help with treating your or your child's flu symptoms, pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend remedies. Bear in mind that antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as flu, therefore GPs do not recommend taking them.
In some cases, the NHS advises asking for an urgent GP appointment or seeking help from NHS 111 if you have flu symptoms, such as if you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, have a long-term medical condition, or a weakened immune system. It's also recommended that you use these services if your symptoms do not improve after seven days.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you experience sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing, or start coughing up a lot of blood. Remember that flu is very infectious, so the NHS recommends trying to stay at home and avoiding contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
Flu vaccines are offered for free on the NHS every year in autumn and winter to help protect those at risk of complications from flu, including babies between six months and two years old and people aged 65 and over, although this closes on December 19. Pharmacies at the likes of Boots and Superdrug also offer a private flu vaccine service if you're not in a vulnerable group but still want to give yourself extra protection, which typically costs between £10 and £20.
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