The NHS has pointed out one main sign that helps tell the flu apart from a regular cold, as experts warn of a “worrying increase” in flu cases across the UK. Reports show that infections are now about three times higher than this period last year, with flu season striking more than a month earlier than expected. Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that positive flu cases jumped from 6.1% to 8.2%, mostly due to a sharp rise among school-aged children, NHS England said. Health officials are now urging people, especially children and vulnerable groups, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Here’s what the NHS says can help you tell whether you have the flu or just a seasonal cold.How To Identify If You Have The Flu Or Just A Normal Cold?Telling the difference between a cold and the flu can be tricky since their symptoms overlap, but there are a few ways to distinguish them.According to the NHS, “Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.” One of the biggest clues that it’s flu and not a cold is if you “feel completely drained and too unwell to go about your day.” A regular cold, on the other hand, usually makes you feel under the weather, but you can still manage your normal activities.Flu symptoms also tend to appear suddenly, often within a few hours, while a cold develops more slowly. Unlike a cold, which mostly affects the nose and throat, flu impacts the entire body.The NHS lists the main symptoms of flu as:A sudden high temperatureAn aching bodyExtreme tiredness or exhaustionA dry coughA sore throatHeadacheTrouble sleepingLoss of appetiteStomach pain or diarrhoeaFeeling sick or vomitingWhat To Do If You Have Flu?If you have flu, the NHS advises staying at home and avoiding contact with others, especially if you have a high temperature or are too unwell to carry on with normal tasks. To help prevent spreading the virus, you should:Wash your hands often with warm water and soapCover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you don’t have one, use your elbow instead of your hands)Dispose of used tissues right awaySince flu viruses change every year, getting vaccinated annually is the best way to stay protected and reduce the risk of passing it to others. Vaccines are safe, effective, and one of the strongest defences against seasonal illness. Health officials urge everyone who is eligible to get their flu jab soon, with convenient appointments and local walk-in options now available.Eligibility For The Flu Vaccine In UKIn the UK, the NHS offers free flu vaccinations to several groups, including people aged 65 and above, those with specific chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and caregivers. Children aged 2 to 3, as well as all children up to age 11 who fall into clinical risk categories, are also eligible. Meanwhile, children aged 4 to 17 in these risk groups can receive their flu shots at school or through their general practitioner, according to the NHS.
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