Bosses at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust are giving patients advice on what to do if they are suffering from flu-like symptoms.
The move follows a rise in the number of patients presenting with influenza.
Paul Hooton, Deputy Chief Nurse at the Trust, said: “If people are suffering from symptoms of flu and are generally fit and healthy, they can manage the symptoms at home, by keeping warm, drinking plenty of water, and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower their temperature and treat any aches or pains.”
NHS England called for people earlier this week to get the flu jab to protect themselves against the infection.
Flu and complications associated with it cause 8,000 deaths on average a year in England. Around 6,000 of these are people with heart and lung disease.
Mr Hooton added: “We advise that patients should call 999 or come to A&E if they suddenly develop chest pain, have difficulty breathing and start coughing up blood.
“However, if none of these symptoms apply, advice can generally be sought from your pharmacist, but if their condition doesn’t improve after seven days, or if they are an ‘at risk’ group, patients should see their GP.”
For more information about flu, see www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/
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