![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1464160441.jpg\")
\n\t\tCome down with the flu before Christmas? Here\u2019s when to seek medical help (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tCome down with the flu before Christmas? Here\u2019s when to seek medical help (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
In the run-up to Christmas<\/a>, trying not to get ill<\/a> is an extreme sport. <\/p>\n A mere sniffle from a stranger is enough to strike fear into our hearts, while a cough is definitely reason to be ousted from those festive drinks<\/a>.<\/p>\n And the \u2018super flu<\/a>\u2019 isn\u2019t helping matters, a subtype of the illness that\u2019s been around for a while (since 1968, to be precise), but has dominated cases this winter<\/a>. It\u2019s a term that\u2019s been used to describe a particularly severe case of flu, one that\u2019s left many in bed for days on end.<\/p>\n Health professionals are on high alert too, as 60,000 more healthcare workers had flu jabs this year than in 2024, according to NHS England<\/a>.<\/p>\n But during a time that is notoriously busy for the NHS, how do you know when to grin and bear it \u2014 and when to seek help?<\/p>\n One leading doctor has issued advice on when to speak to your GP about your symptoms.<\/p>\n The symptoms to watch out for if you\u2019ve got the flu<\/p>\n Dr Iain Morrison, chairman of the BMA\u2019s Scottish general practice committee, explains that the flu, which arrived earlier this year, forms part of a new strain, which is causing more cases of \u2018significant illness\u2019 than seen in previous years.<\/p>\n The main symptom that should prompt you to call the doctor? Feeling tight-chested<\/strong> to the point that you\u2019re struggling to complete even the most basic of tasks, including climbing the stairs. The same applies if you\u2019re even forming sentences become tough.<\/p>\n The GP says: \u2018That\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re really struggling with your oxygen levels, and if that\u2019s not usual for you, then you need to get attention.\u2019<\/p>\n If you\u2019re also dealing with \u2018significant\u2019 chest pain<\/strong>, he\u2019s advised getting checked. While Dr Iain does say that it\u2019s \u2018normal\u2019 to have a bit of muscle ache, if it\u2019s \u2018severe and unremitting, then you need to get checked out.\u2019<\/p>\n And the third symptom? Vomiting and diarrhoea<\/strong>. \u2018It\u2019s very common, and most will settle within a sort of 24 to 40-hour period, but if it\u2019s so bad that you\u2019re struggling to form any urine, then that is when you need to get yourself checked,\u2019 he adds.<\/p>\n \t\t He\u2019s asked that people use services \u2018sensibly,\u2019 urging the importance of being patient with staff because, well, \u2018they\u2019re all trying their hardest to get through as many people as they can.\u2019<\/p>\n He says: \u2018Please be aware that at this time lots of the health<\/a> services are suffering from staff shortages due to illness, which can lead to more waits and more difficulties with access.<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re all in this together, and only by working together we\u2019ll get through it.\u2019<\/p>\n How to cope if you\u2019ve got the flu<\/p>\n The regular advice for those suffering from flu involves getting plenty of rest, regularly taking paracetamol (or ibuprofen, if you\u2019ve got strong muscle aches), and consuming plenty of fluids, particularly if you\u2019re struggling with a bit of tummy trouble.<\/p>\n Dr Iain added that wearing a face mask only reduces your risk of contracting the flu by a \u2018small amount,\u2019 but noted that \u2018they can greatly reduce the chances of people with the virus passing it on.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Face masks reduce your chance a little of contracting the virus, but they significantly reduce the chance of you transmitting the virus,\u2019 he concluded.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s very helpful to those around you to wear one if you have symptoms.\u2019<\/p>\n How long does flu take to incubate?<\/p>\n According to the Superdrug Health Clinic<\/a> website, the incubation period for flu is between one and four days. So, it\u2019s safe to say that symptoms can come on pretty quickly.<\/p>\n It adds that the most severe symptoms typically last for between two and three days, and they\u2019ll usually stick around for up to seven days. Along these lines, you should make a full recovery within two weeks, but if you\u2019re still struggling beyond that, you should absolutely seek medical help.<\/p>\n How long is flu contagious in adults?<\/p>\n If you do have the flu, you could be contagious <\/a>for over a week, starting from the day before your symptoms show up.<\/p>\n The\u00a0NHS\u00a0<\/a>website states: \u2018You can spread\u00a0flu\u00a0from one day before your symptoms start and for a further three to seven days.<\/p>\n \u2018Children and people with lowered immune systems may be contagious for a few days longer.\u2019<\/p>\n The health service also adds that \u2018you\u2019re more likely to give it to others in the first five days\u2019 on its website \u2013 but either way, it\u2019s key to follow guidance on stopping the spread.<\/p>\n Flu germs spread through coughs and sneezes, so keep some tissues on hand for catching them, and keep your mouth and nose covered.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tHow to avoid getting ill before Christmas amid UK\u2019s \u2018super flu\u2019 surge\t\t\t<\/p>\n But if you\u2019re desperate to try and avoid getting sick ahead of\u00a0Christmas<\/a>, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk, according to a doctor.<\/p>\n Dr Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical advisor for\u00a0IQdoctor<\/a>, previously shared five top tips with\u00a0<\/strong>Metro<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>that she claimed could make a \u2018meaningful difference\u2019 to your\u00a0health<\/a>.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-1359976369.jpg\")
\n\t\tYou should seek help if you\u2019re feeling tight-chested (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n
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