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Itisha Arya

Have Flu Symptoms? NHS Shares Four Steps You Should Follow To Recover

influenza flu symptoms

The <span>NHS</span> has released fresh guidance on how to manage flu symptoms, setting out four simple steps that could help people recover faster. Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a highly contagious viral illness that affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs. It is marked by a sudden onset of fever, muscle aches, headaches, a persistent dry cough, and extreme tiredness, making it far more serious than the common cold.

Recent data from NHS England shows that in the first week of January, an average of 2,924 hospital beds across England were taken up by patients with flu. This figure reflects a nine per cent increase compared with the previous week.

With flu cases continuing to climb, the NHS has shared several important steps that people can follow to help support a quicker recovery.

<h2>NHS Shares Four Steps To Tackle Flu Symptoms 2026</h2>

In a recent update, NHS England warned that social gatherings during Christmas and New Year may have led to a resurgence of winter illnesses. NHS national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit said: “It is clear that the pressure on the NHS this winter is far from easing, with hospitals once again seeing a rise in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory viruses last week.

“The colder weather is also bringing more vulnerable patients to A&amp;E with breathing difficulties, along with an increase in injuries caused by slips and falls in icy conditions, making this an exceptionally demanding period.”

According to the Mirror, she added: “Staff continue to work extremely hard, with teams across the country doing everything possible to ensure patients receive the care they need. It remains important for people to seek care as usual, and there are still many opportunities to get vaccinated and protect yourself against flu.”

The NHS says flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly and may include:

<ul><li>A high temperature that comes on quickly</li><li>Aches and pains throughout the body</li><li>Feeling very tired or exhausted</li><li>A dry, persistent cough</li><li>A sore throat</li><li>Headaches</li><li>Trouble sleeping</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Diarrhoea or stomach pain</li><li>Feeling sick or being sick</li></ul>

Children may experience similar symptoms, but they can also have earaches and may appear more tired or less active than usual.

The NHS states: “If you have flu, there are steps you can take to help yourself recover more quickly.”

<ul><li>Rest and get plenty of sleep</li><li>Keep yourself warm</li><li>Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and ease aches and pains</li><li>Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, aiming for urine that is pale yellow or clear</li></ul>

<h2>Flu Symptoms 2026: When To Seek Help?</h2>

You should contact NHS 111 or arrange an urgent GP appointment if you or your child have flu symptoms and:

<ul><li>You are concerned about your baby’s or child’s condition</li><li>You are aged 65 or over</li><li>You are pregnant</li><li>You have a long-term health condition, such as diabetes or a problem affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, or nerves</li><li>You have a weakened immune system, for example due to chemotherapy or HIV</li><li>Your symptoms have not improved after seven days</li><li>You develop sudden chest pain</li><li>You have trouble breathing</li><li>You begin coughing up large amounts of blood</li></ul>

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The NHS has released fresh guidance on how to manage flu symptoms, setting out four simple steps that could help people recover faster. Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a highly contagious viral illness that affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs. It is marked by a sudden onset of fever, muscle aches, headaches, a persistent dry cough, and extreme tiredness, making it far more serious than the common cold.Recent data from NHS England shows that in the first week of January, an average of 2,924 hospital beds across England were taken up by patients with flu. This figure reflects a nine per cent increase compared with the previous week.With flu cases continuing to climb, the NHS has shared several important steps that people can follow to help support a quicker recovery.NHS Shares Four Steps To Tackle Flu Symptoms 2026In a recent update, NHS England warned that social gatherings during Christmas and New Year may have led to a resurgence of winter illnesses. NHS national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit said: “It is clear that the pressure on the NHS this winter is far from easing, with hospitals once again seeing a rise in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory viruses last week.“The colder weather is also bringing more vulnerable patients to A&E with breathing difficulties, along with an increase in injuries caused by slips and falls in icy conditions, making this an exceptionally demanding period.”According to the Mirror, she added: “Staff continue to work extremely hard, with teams across the country doing everything possible to ensure patients receive the care they need. It remains important for people to seek care as usual, and there are still many opportunities to get vaccinated and protect yourself against flu.”Flu Symptoms 2026The NHS says flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly and may include:A high temperature that comes on quicklyAches and pains throughout the bodyFeeling very tired or exhaustedA dry, persistent coughA sore throatHeadachesTrouble sleepingLoss of appetiteDiarrhoea or stomach painFeeling sick or being sickChildren may experience similar symptoms, but they can also have earaches and may appear more tired or less active than usual.Flu Symptoms 2026: NHS AdviceThe NHS states: “If you have flu, there are steps you can take to help yourself recover more quickly.”Rest and get plenty of sleepKeep yourself warmUse paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and ease aches and painsDrink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, aiming for urine that is pale yellow or clearFlu Symptoms 2026: When To Seek Help?You should contact NHS 111 or arrange an urgent GP appointment if you or your child have flu symptoms and:You are concerned about your baby’s or child’s conditionYou are aged 65 or overYou are pregnantYou have a long-term health condition, such as diabetes or a problem affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, or nervesYou have a weakened immune system, for example due to chemotherapy or HIVYour symptoms have not improved after seven daysYou develop sudden chest painYou have trouble breathingYou begin coughing up large amounts of blood