The single most effective way to prevent flu and spread of germs is to get vaccinated every year. The flu (or influenza) season hits between October and April every year. It’s a common viral infection that affects the lungs and upper respiratory airways and can sometimes result in debilitating symptoms. Flu is extremely contagious; it can be spread through coughing, sneezing or touching. The symptoms take around two days to appear after you’ve been infected, and people are usually infectious a day or so before the symptoms start and then for around six days– so it’s almost impossible to avoid!

Typical symptoms include high temperature, sweating, feeling feverish / shivery, headache, aching limbs, tiredness, sore throat with a dry cough and loss of appetite.

 

*World Health Organisation