Dr Raj Arora, an NHS GP and TV medic, issued her alert to the public on her social media
An NHS GP is urging the public to ‘stop brushing off’ the flu and to stay home from work if they’re unwell. The NHS has faced an ‘unprecedented flu wave this winter’, with people advised to ‘try to stay at home’ if they have a high temperature or feel too unwell to complete their normal activities.
However, some people might still try to attend work if they feel they can perform their job. Dr Raj Arora, an NHS GP and medical educator who is well-known for her appearances on ITV’s This Morning, has urged the public to follow the guidance.
Posting on Instagram this week, Dr Arora said: “If it feels like everyone around you is sick, you’re not imagining it. Flu A cases are surging across the UK and the NHS is under serious pressure right now. It’s not ‘just a bad cold’. People are getting hit harder, for longer, and hospitals are feeling it.”
The GP continued: “If you’re unwell, rest properly. If symptoms are severe, get checked, and please stop brushing it off and going into work anyway. This is bigger than people think.”
As the NHS website explains, flu is infectious. The health service states: “Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You’re more likely to give it to others in the first five days. Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.”
Flu symptoms may include a sudden high temperature, aching body, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Symptoms usually come on very quickly.
In an NHS England update shared on December 18, Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “At the moment, the highest rate of cases are in children and people aged over 65. If your child has any symptoms, keep them off school or nursery until 48 hours after their symptoms stop.
“If you’re unwell, don’t visit hospitals and care homes to prevent spreading the infection to older and vulnerable people and don’t go to work or prepare food for others until 48 hours after your symptoms end.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Hand sanitiser does not kill norovirus, so don’t rely on it alone.”
While the flu usually resolves on its own, a pharmacist can provide treatment advice and recommend remedies. The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you or your child have flu symptoms and:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after 7 days
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you get sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing or start coughing up a lot of blood.
