Flu - Diagnosing flu

If you are otherwise fit and healthy, you do not need to see your GP when you have flu.

Read more about treating flu.

When you should see your GP

You should see your GP if you have flu and any of the following applies to you:

• your symptoms have got much worse and include shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood, or you have developed other symptoms that are not typical of flu, such as a rash
• your symptoms have lasted for longer than a week
• you have a medical condition that is making your flu worse (see complications of seasonal flu)

Your GP will diagnose flu based on your symptoms and your medical history. If they suspect that your symptoms are caused by a different condition – for example, malaria if you have recently been travelling – you may need to have further tests or a referral to a hospital specialist.