IS it true we’re not supposed to go to the Doctors if we get flu?

Seasonal flu is highly infectious and spreads rapidly through coughs and sneezes. To help avoid spreading germs to others and avoid picking them up, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, dispose of the tissue in a bin as soon as possible. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs. The best protection against the virus is to get the seasonal flu vaccination if you are in an ‘at risk’ group and invited to do so by your GP. For the rest of us, regular hand washing and eating a balanced diet is the best plan.

Should you catch flu though, if you’re otherwise fit and healthy, you can manage symptoms at home. Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and use standard paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce your temperature and help relieve your symptoms. You may need to stay in bed for a day or two when your symptoms are at their worst but once you start to feel better you should try to move about as much as you can.

Most people get better without needing to see their GP and will recover from flu within a week. However, if you’re concerned about your symptoms or they’re getting worse, despite regularly using simple remedies contact your GP. They will decide the most appropriate action to take.

Some groups of people have a higher risk of serious illness or complications if they catch flu. See your GP if you’re in a high-risk group, for example, if you have a long standing illness like diabetes or chest problems, and have flu-like symptoms.

LAST year my elderly mother ran out of her medication over the Christmas holidays. What can I do this year to prevent this from happening again?

The best advice is to check that your Mother has enough medication to last and to make sure she orders what she needs and collects it in plenty of time. This year, Christmas Day falls on a Friday with Boxing Day on the Monday, so it's worth checking with your local GP surgery so you know when they are open over the Festive Period. Your local pharmacy is also likely to have different opening times and you can find your nearest pharmacist by using the search tool at www.nhs24.com. If people do not have access to their regular NHS prescribed repeat medications or appliances they get urgent provision via the National Patient Group Directive via their local pharmacy.

WHAT is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern. The episodes of depression tend to occur at the same time each year, usually during the winter.

As with other types of depression, two of the main symptoms of SAD are a low mood and a lack of interest in life. Other symptoms of SAD include being less active than normal and sleeping more.

SAD is sometimes known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are more apparent and tend to be more severe at this time of the year. The symptoms often begin in the autumn as the days start getting shorter. They are most severe during December, January and February.

In most cases, the symptoms of SAD begin to improve in the spring before disappearing. Speak to a doctor if you think you may have SAD.