How to treat flu yourself

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include a sudden high temperature, an aching body feeling tired or exhausted, a dry cough, a sore throat a headache

A

AfyaMoja

05 Dec, 2025

1 min read

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include

a sudden high temperature
an aching body
feeling tired or exhausted
a dry cough
a sore throat
a headache

If you have the flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly.

Do

rest and sleep
keep warm
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they're distressed or uncomfortable. Make sure the medicine is suitable for your child,
drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration

Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as flu. A pharmacist or GP can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies. Do not take paracetamol and flu remedies that contain paracetamol at the same time as it's easy to take more than the recommended dose.

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