Does a GP consultation treat influenza?

Influenza can cause sudden fever, chills, aches, headache, cough, sore throat and marked tiredness. A GP considers how severe the illness is, how long it has lasted, your age and other health conditions. Most care is supportive: rest, fluids and suitable medicine for fever or discomfort. Antiviral treatment may be considered for people at higher risk of complications or those who are seriously unwell, especially when started early. Antibiotics do not treat influenza itself, but another infection may need assessment.

Rest, drink fluids and follow the label or clinician advice for symptom relief. Stay home while feverish and limit close contact with vulnerable people. A mask and good hand hygiene can reduce spread when you must be around others. Contact a GP if symptoms are worsening, you cannot keep fluids down, or you have a condition that makes respiratory infections riskier.

Seek urgent assessment for difficulty breathing, chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion, severe dehydration, coughing blood or a fever that improves and then returns with worsening symptoms. Emergency help is needed for collapse or severe breathing difficulty. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with significant long-term conditions may need earlier advice.

Ask whether your symptoms fit influenza, whether antiviral treatment is suitable, how to manage existing medicines, and which changes mean you should seek urgent care.