Free Influenza (flu) consultation – PrivateMeds offer a secure consultation service for Influenza
Our UK registered doctors will review your details and if appropriate can provide a prescription for the Influenza drug Tamiflu
To begin, with a FREE no obligation consultation
What is Influenza?
Influenza is an infection caused by the influenza virus which is passed from one person to the next in the air or by direct contact. Influenza infects the throat, nose or lungs. The signs of influenza include the sudden onset of fever (> 37.8 °C), cough, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, muscle aches and often extreme fatigue. Influenza symptoms may also be caused by infections other than influenza. True influenza infection only occurs during annual outbreaks (epidemics) at times when influenza viruses are spreading in the local community. Outside of the epidemic period, these symptoms will mainly be caused by a different type of infection or illness.
Differences between a common cold and Influenza flu
A common cold is often mistaken for Flu. The differences between the two are however very clear. Flu symptoms start very suddenly, often as a cough with no stuffiness, and makes you feel unwell in you whole body. A cold usually comes on slowly and only affects the nose, throat, sinuses and upper chest. With a cold, you may feel under the weather, but you can still carry on with life. If you have Flu, you will feel dreadful, and will be forced to bed. It will last a week if left untreated and leave you feeling run down for another 2 weeks. A cold is normally over in a week.
Influenza treatments
Effective treatments such as Tamiflu are available to reduce the severity and length of an attack or prevent infection.