COVID is not the only show in town when it comes to viruses this Christmas and it is essential to know what to look out for when you are under the weather.

On Late Breakfast this morning, Monaghan GP Dr Illona Duffy set out what you should do if you are feeling poorly this winter.

She said the non-COVID viruses that we normally see this time of year are going to kick into gear in the coming weeks.

If you have any COVID symptoms, Dr Duffy said your first priority should be to book a PCR test.

Should you get the all-clear, then it is all about managing the symptoms.

“That is especially true for those who have children who have high temperatures,” she said. “Maybe complaining of sore throat, sore ear, maybe some vomiting and diarrhoea.”

Thermometer

Dr Duffy said every household should have a thermometer.

“It is not accurate enough to touch a child or touch yourself and say, maybe I’m hot, maybe I’m not,” she said.

“When you are feeling cold and shivery you could actually have your highest temperature at that stage so the thermometer will at least allow you to take that paracetamol or Nurofen, if you are allowed it, and get that temperature down and start feeling that little bit better.”

Antibiotics

Dr Duffy said more and more people are realising that antibiotics are not the answer to many illness or issues.

“First of all, earaches, something in the order of 90% of them are viral, so you don’t need anything for them.

“If you are having intermittent earaches, you need decongestants and paracetamol for pain and things will settle.

“If you are having discharge from your ear or severe pain that is not resolving and you have taken a decongestant and paracetamol then we are, perhaps, thinking you may need an antibiotic and it is worth talking to your GP.

Sore throat

Dr Duffy said the majority of sore throats are viral and as such, do not require antibiotics.

“We kind of use different scoring techniques to decide whether you need an antibiotic,” she said.

“So that will always be a temperature above 38, perhaps puss in the throat or a very enlarged tonsil and the glands in the neck – they are tender, they are swollen, they are sore.

“Typically, with a bacterial tonsilitis you won’t have snuffles or a cough.”

Virus

Viruses come in many different shapes and sizes and Dr Duffy said the treatment often depends on how unwell you are.

“It really depends on how severely ill you feel are you eating and – especially – drinking,” she said.

“Are you able to manage the temperatures and keep them under control and generally do you feel like you are starting to feel better after a couple of days.”

Immune systems

Dr Duffy said strong immune systems are all about healthy eating and exercise.

“Walking briskly for 15 minutes a can reduce all sorts of things – breast cancer risk, risk of diabetes and it also can increase your immunity,” she said.

“Try not to have too much processed and rich food. Christmas has been difficult and many of will still have boxes of chocolates and sweets lying around but, if we can, it is about getting back to fresh fruit and vegetables every dy.

“Then there is minding our alcohol content. This time of year is a time when more people will have more drink and it affects our bodies in many ways.

“It can affect our liver, our pancreas and it can also cause increased chances of heartburn – that burning feeling in our chest because we are having reflux symptoms and overall, it can lead to increased risk of ulcers in your stomach as well – so mind the alcohol.”

In all, Dr Duffy said it comes down to that traditional advice - everything in moderation.

“Caffeine in moderation, alcohol in moderation, food in moderation and exercise in moderation too,” she said.

Undertheweather.ie offers great advice on all kinds of common illnesses – letting you know how to manage, what to do and when to seek further medical advice.