Stop the spread of flu
NHS Sussex are asking local people to help stop the spread of flu and other respiratory infections as rates rise across the county.
For many people, the following advice will help them to recover from the flu:
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they’re distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you’re not sure
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies. Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time as it’s easy to take more than the recommended dose. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as flu.
Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You’re more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days.
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand)
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible
To limit the spread of infection, local NHS services are asking people to consider wearing a mask if they do attend clinical sites, and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has made temporary restrictions to visiting guidance. If you do have flu or COVID symptoms, please avoid attending hospital sites, unless it is an emergency.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you from infections like flu.
The flu vaccine is available until 31 March 2025 either through your GP surgery or a local pharmacy offering the jab.
COVID-19 vaccinations are also still available, along with the new RSV vaccine.