Winter is here! This is the time when many people get sick with viral illnesses and the NASTY Influenza or 'FLU' for short. In the UK an average fo 600 people die from complications of flu. In the 1889 a flu pandemic wiped out 1 million human beings. Watch this video which explains how a flu virus attacks a human cell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpj0emEGShQ It is important to note how easy it is for viruses to spread. Sneezing, coughing, touching. So there are lots of preventive things we can do to reduce the spread. - Get Vaccinated against the Flu. -Stay at home if your infectious -Wear a mask so if you sneeze you aren't spreading your viral particles in the air to land on others - wash your hands after touching surfaces -eat healthy and sleep your recommended hours a day. -if stressed get help from your GP. The common cold virus is pretty harmless and recovery is natural within 1-2 weeks. ANTIBIOTICS do not work for viral illness. The only time your GP will give you antibiotics is because you have a secondary infection along side the viral illness. It is useful to have a thermometer at home and measure your temperature. 37 degree celsius is normal and 38 and above is classed as a fever. If your fever is not resolving beyond a week of having a viral illness you should see your GP who will examine you to identify a secondary infection source.