Most people with the flu get better at home with rest and fluids, but some symptoms mean a doctor needs to see you, and soon. Knowing when to see a GP for the flu saves a wasted trip on a good day and a dangerous delay on a bad one. This article covers the warning signs in adults and children, who is at higher risk of complications and why timing matters for antiviral medicines. Your Community Pharmacy is at Shop 3, 1 Kalinya St in Newport, the next suburb north of Mona Vale.
Key Takeaways
- Most people with the flu recover by themselves without any specific treatment.
- See a doctor if symptoms worsen, or for shortness of breath, dehydration, confusion, or vomiting so much you cannot keep fluids down.
- Any trouble breathing is a reason to call triple zero (000).
- Flu antiviral medicines are prescription-only and are most effective in the first 48 hours.
- Children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with some long-term conditions are more likely to have complications.
What the flu feels like
The flu usually brings fever and chills, a cough, a sore throat and sneezing, and often tiredness, a headache and aching muscles and joints. Some people, especially children, also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. A cold tends to be milder, and our guide to telling a cold from the flu compares the two symptom by symptom.
Winter also brings COVID-19 and RSV, which can look much the same in the early days. Whatever the cause, the warning signs below are what decide if you need a doctor.
Signs you need a doctor for the flu
Healthdirect sets out when to see a GP for the flu. Contact your GP if:
- Symptoms are worsening instead of easing
- You are short of breath
- You show signs of dehydration
- You are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
- You feel confused
Emergency signs in adults and children
Call triple zero (000) straight away for any trouble breathing. For a child, get emergency care for a baby under 3 months with a temperature above 38°C, or a child of any age who is struggling to breathe, cannot stop vomiting, is hard to wake or not responding, or has a rash that stays red when you press on it.
Unsure about your symptoms? The pharmacist can talk them through with you during opening hours.
Who is at higher risk
Healthdirect lists the people who are more likely to get very sick and have complications from the flu. The higher-risk groups are:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Children under 5
- Pregnant women
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- People living in aged care
- People with heart disease, a chronic lung condition, kidney disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system
Antivirals are among the options a doctor may consider for people in these groups, so if this list includes you and you think you have the flu, contact your GP promptly rather than waiting to see whether it passes. Living with one of those conditions? A medication review outside flu season is a good time to check how your regular medicines fit together.
The antiviral window
Antiviral medicines can shorten the flu and lower the risk of complications, and they work best if started in the first 48 hours after symptoms begin. They need a prescription, and your doctor decides if you need them; not everyone with the flu is prescribed them. That is why an early call to the GP matters more than toughing out the first two days. Once you have a script, paper or electronic, the pharmacy can dispense it.
Looking after yourself while you recover
If none of the warning signs apply, rest at home and keep your fluids up. For mild symptoms, the pharmacist can suggest pain and fever relief and check it suits your other medicines. Our guide to choosing a pharmacist or GP covers that decision in more detail, and our winter medicine cabinet checklist covers what to have in the cupboard. If the illness keeps you off work, a work absence certificate from the pharmacist covers a short absence.
Vaccines that help prevent the next round
A yearly flu vaccine is the best protection, and pharmacist immunisers give it without an appointment during opening hours. Our article on side effects explains what to expect afterwards. The RSV vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine are also given at the pharmacy. Some of these vaccines are government funded for eligible people; ask at the counter what you would pay.
Coming in from Mona Vale
There is no Your Community Pharmacy shop in Mona Vale. The pharmacy is in Newport, about 3.5 km north along Barrenjoey Road, and our service areas page covers the trip from each nearby suburb. Too unwell to come in? The free local delivery service has no minimum order and can bring scripts to you, once a quick phone call confirms your street is covered. If you have spotted a medicine cheaper somewhere else, the team can talk to you about price matching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get flu antivirals without seeing a doctor?
No. They are prescription medicines, so a doctor needs to assess you first. Bring in the script, or the electronic token, and the pharmacy can dispense it.
Should I still have a flu vaccine after having the flu?
Yes. The vaccine covers several flu strains, so it is still worth having once you have recovered. Ask the pharmacist about timing.
Is Your Community Pharmacy in Mona Vale?
No. You will find it at Shop 3, 1 Kalinya St, Newport. Directions are on our contact page, and our FAQs page answers other common questions.
How long should I stay home with the flu?
Healthdirect advises staying home and avoiding close contact with other people until you feel better.
Getting the right care at the right time
Rest and fluids see most people through the flu. Spotting the point at which the flu needs a doctor, and acting within the antiviral window if you are at higher risk, matters far more than any product on the shelf. If you are unsure, ask the pharmacist, who can tell you whether to rest at home or book in with your doctor.
For flu advice and walk-in vaccinations, visit Your Community Pharmacy on Kalinya St, Newport.