Let's help you understand flu
At Boots, we have products to help relieve the symptoms of flu as well as advice on how to manage the symptoms.
On this page
What is the flu?
The flu (influenza) is a contagious viral illness which affects the respiratory system (the organs and parts of your body that help you breathe, like the lungs). You can catch the flu at any time of year, but it's more common in winter as we generally spend more time indoors and in close proximity with others.
With windows and doors closed more often in the winter, it is easier for viruses to spread through coughing and sneezing- that's what gives it the name 'seasonal flu'. The flu isn’t the same as the common cold and COVID-19, even though some of the symptoms can be similar, they’re all caused by different viruses.
Flu & how to treat it
Flu can be unpleasant, but you’ll usually start to feel better within about a week. Most cases of the flu resolve on their own with rest, fluids and over-the-counter treatment. However, some people, including those who are more at risk of complications from flu and children, can become seriously ill.
Flu symptoms can occur quickly with some of the symptoms resembling the common cold. However, flu symptoms tend to be more severe, and can also last longer. The main symptoms can include:
• a sudden high temperature (fever) of 38C or more
• aching body
• feeling tired, exhausted or weak
• a headache
• a dry cough
• difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea or tummy pain
• feeling sick or being sick
Some flu symptoms can also be like a cold. These include:
• a sore throat
• sneezing
• a runny or stuffy nose
The cold-like symptoms tend to be less severe than other flu symptoms. It’s important to rest until you feel better as the flu can make you feel very unwell.
Telling the difference between the common cold, the flu and COVID-19 can be confusing. While they share some symptoms, there are some differences. The table below summarises the main differences.
A common cold comes on gradually, while symptoms of the flu come on very quickly. Most people with cold or flu symptoms start to feel better in a week or two, but if your symptoms are severe or you’re concerned about your symptoms, you should think about speaking to your GP.
*There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions in the UK. If you have COVID-19 or other respiratory tract infection symptoms, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you are well enough to do so and, no longer have a high temperature.
| Covid-19 | Cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever (≥37.8°C) | Common | Rare | Common |
| Cough | Common (usually dry & continuous) | Common (mild) | Common (usually dry) |
| Loss of smell or taste | Common | Rare | Common |
| Shortness of breath | Sometimes | Rare | Rare |
| Headache | Sometimes | Sometimes | Rare |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes |
| Runny or stuffy nose | Rare | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Rare | Common | Sometimes |
| Aches & pains | Sometimes | Sometimes | Common (often severe) |
| Fatigue | Sometimes | Sometimes (mild) | Common (often severe & can last 2-3 weeks) |
| Diarrhoea | Sometimes | No | Sometimes |
Some people are more likely to develop complications from the flu, such as pneumonia or worsening of underlying health conditions. These include :
• people who are 65 years or older
• if you’re pregnant
• having a long-term condition like diabetes, heart disease, HIV, kidney disease, liver disease or a neurological disease
• having a lung condition like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• having a weakened immune system
People in these groups are recommended to have the flu vaccination every year, as they have a higher chance of becoming seriously ill with the flu.
For most people, the symptoms of flu should improve with plenty of rest, fluids and over-the-counter treatment to help manage symptoms. There are also things you can do yourself to help you get better:
• keep warm
• rest & sleep
• paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with fever and body aches (if they’re suitable for you)
• throat lozenges can help provide relief for a sore throat
• over-the-counter flu remedies
A Boots pharmacist can give you treatment advice and recommend a suitable remedy. It’s important to remember to not take paracetamol and flu remedies that also contain paracetamol, at the same time. This can make it easy to take more than the recommended dose.
You don't usually need to see a doctor if you have flu symptoms but it's important to speak to your GP urgently or get help from NHS 111 if you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms, or if you:
• have symptoms that haven’t improved after 7 days
• are 65 or over
• are pregnant
• have a long-term medical condition
• have a weakened immune system
You need to call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:
• gets sudden chest pain
• has difficulty breathing
• starts coughing up a lot of blood
Antibiotics aren’t given for the flu as they don’t have an effect on viruses, they work on bacteria, but they might be prescribed if you get a complication such as a bacterial chest infection.
Flu is very infectious and can be easily spread. Preventing the spread of the flu is important to help protect yourself and others. It is more likely to spread to other people in the first five days.
To reduce the risk of spreading the flu:
• practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• if soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand sanitisers can be used
• it’s important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (making sure to bin the used tissue as quickly as possible) when coughing or sneezing
• regularly disinfecting areas which are touched a lot can reduce the spread of germs too.
• if you have a fever (a high temperature) or feel unwell enough to not engage in your usual activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
Related products
Do not take more than one product containing paracetamol at a time
Learn more about the flu
Frequently asked questions
No vaccination is 100 per cent effective, but being vaccinated helps protect you against the strains of the flu virus contained in the vaccination. You might still get the flu even after you’ve had the vaccination, but it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.
You should have a flu vaccination each flu season, to help protect you, as the flu vaccinations are updated every year. This is because the virus changes and different strains go around. Protection from the flu vaccination goes down over time, so even if some of the strains are the same, you should have a flu vaccination each season.
The flu vaccination is effective and has a good safety profile. Most side effects are mild and only persist for a day or two. Most adults can have the flu vaccination, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccination in the past.
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccination if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccinations are made using eggs. Ask your GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free flu vaccination.
It's very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the flu vaccination. If it does happen, it usually happens within minutes of the vaccination being given. The person who vaccinates you is trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
^Injectable vaccination, £19.95 (or £24.95 in Jersey)
**Some bookings for the private service include a short online consultation, which is reviewed by a prescribing clinician
‡Some areas provide a free flu vaccination programme in schools, which may include some secondary year groups
3Subject to availability. Eligibility criteria apply.
9Eligibility criteria and charges apply. Available in selected pharmacies, subject to availability.
