Flu

What is the Flu?

The flu is caused by a viral infection. Usually, the infection is spread between people through germs living on surfaces or hands. It is known for being very contagious, especially during the first week of showing symptoms.

You do not have to visit your doctor if you think you have the flu. In fact, it is recommended that you avoid going into your GP so that you do not assist the virus in spreading. Instead, symptoms can be treated at home. If you are suffering from a particularly severe bought of the flu, you can order flu treatment online from our pharmacy.

Simply fill in the online consultation form and one of our doctors will advise you on the best course of action to take, whether that be our antiviral medicine available through prescription or home remedies.

Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of flu can change depending on your age and the strain of the virus. For instance, children may experience painful earache on top of the usual symptoms associated with flu. Some adults may also experience vomiting or watery eyes. However, there are common symptoms to look out for when suffering from a bout of flu.

Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Your body aches
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• High temperature
• Trouble sleeping
• Diarrhoea and/or stomach pain
• Feeling tired or exhausted

Flu Causes

The flu virus travels through the air in droplets when someone who is infected coughs, sneezes or talks. Other people can inhale these droplets directly, or pick them up from touching objects that have the germs on them, such as a phone or television remote.

The flu is a highly contagious condition, usually from the day before the symptoms first appear until around five days after the symptoms start.

Influenza viruses change constantly and new strains appear quite often. If you have had it in the past, your body will have made antibodies to fight that particular strain. If you catch a strain of flu that is similar to one you have had before, these antibodies may help your immune system to prevent the infection or make it less serious. 

However, they will not protect your health from new strains of influenza as influenza stains can mutate and repleace old ones.

Flu Diagnosis

Flu symptoms can be diagnosed by a physical exam conducted by your doctor. They will check for symptoms of influenza and may also order a test that detects influenza viruses.

If you catch influenza at a time when it is widespread, you may not be tested at all; instead your doctor may diagnose you based purely on your symptoms.

At Medicine Direct, one of our certified doctors can diagnose your flu symptoms after assessing your answers on our online questionnaire. After assessing your answers and symptoms, they will be able to prescribe the most suitable treatment method for you, without you needing to leave the house. This makes it easier for you to rest and stops the risk of your passing on the virus to others.

Flu Treatment

In most cases, the flu can be treated at home by keeping warm, resting and taking medicine to lower your temperature and relieve your aches. It is also very important to stay hydrated.

Some flu strains such as influenza A and influenza B are treated using a prescribed antiviral medicine. Antiviral medicine will work by attacking the flu virus to stop it from multiplying and spreading through your body. As it slows the rate of spreading, it gives your body more chance to fight back against the viral infection.

You can order antiviral flu medicine from our online pharmacy at Medicine Direct:

Tamiflu

Two tablets are to be taken each day for five days. Different dosage strengths are available, from 30mg-75mg. The doctor will prescribe the correct strength for your needs according to your online consultation.

Our pharmacists and prescriber follow NICE guidelines when prescribing antivrial medication to treat flu.