As the festive season reaches its peak, avoiding illness feels like a national sport. A single cough or sniffle can now trigger alarm, especially with the rise of a more severe 'super flu' strain this winter. With the NHS under immense seasonal pressure, a senior doctor has issued clear guidance on when to seek medical help and when to manage symptoms at home.
The Three Red Flag Symptoms
Dr Iain Morrison, chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish general practice committee, has identified three specific symptoms that should prompt a call to your GP. He warns that this year's flu, part of a new strain, is causing more 'significant illness' than in previous years.
The first major warning sign is severe breathlessness. If you feel tight-chested to the point where climbing stairs or even forming sentences becomes a struggle, it's time to seek help. "That's a sign that you're really struggling with your oxygen levels," Dr Morrison explains. "If that's not usual for you, then you need to get attention."
Secondly, significant chest pain alongside flu symptoms warrants a medical check-up. While some muscle ache is normal, Dr Morrison stresses that if it becomes "severe and unremitting," professional assessment is needed.
The third critical symptom is persistent vomiting and diarrhoea. Although common, if it's so intense that you struggle to pass urine, it indicates dangerous dehydration. "Most will settle within a sort of 24 to 40-hour period," he says, "but if it's so bad that you're struggling to form any urine, then that is when you need to get yourself checked."
Managing Flu and Protecting Others
For standard flu cases, the advice remains consistent: get plenty of rest, take paracetamol or ibuprofen for aches, and stay hydrated. Dr Morrison also addressed the use of face masks, noting they offer a "small amount" of personal protection from catching the virus. However, their primary benefit is in preventing transmission. "They significantly reduce the chance of you transmitting the virus," he concluded. "It's very helpful to those around you to wear one if you have symptoms."
He appealed for public patience, highlighting that health services are grappling with staff shortages due to illness, leading to longer waits. "We're all in this together, and only by working together we'll get through it," he urged, asking people to use services sensibly.
Understanding Flu Contagion and Recovery
According to health resources, the flu incubation period is short, between one and four days, meaning symptoms can appear rapidly. The most severe symptoms typically last two to three days, with most people recovering fully within two weeks. If symptoms persist beyond this, medical advice should be sought.
An infected person can be contagious for over a week, starting from the day before symptoms emerge. The NHS states you can spread flu for three to seven days after symptoms begin, with children and those with weakened immune systems potentially infectious for longer. The health service emphasises that you are most likely to spread the virus in the first five days.
To curb the spread, always catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, dispose of it immediately, and wash your hands regularly. With a reported 60,000 more healthcare workers receiving flu jabs this year compared to 2024, the push for public vigilance and responsible behaviour during this busy Christmas period has never been more critical.
