Flu levels are continuing to rise in Scotland, with 79 people consulting their GP about flu for every 100,000 in the population, figures out yesterday showed.
Flu levels are continuing to rise in Scotland, with 79 people consulting their GP about flu for every 100,000 in the population, figures out yesterday showed.
Health Protection Scotland has recorded a four-fold increase since the start of December.
The flu outbreak appears to be hitting some parts of the country harder than others.
Doctors in NHS Ayrshire and Arran saw more than 200 patients with flu symptoms for every 100,000 people last week, compared with 180 in Forth Valley and 51 in Glasgow.
As the data covers the week ending with the first two days of 2009, when GP surgeries were shut for New Year, they may be an underestimate.
Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist at Health Protection Scotland, said: "Our flu season is well under way. We are seeing an increasing number of people presenting with influenza-like illness either to their GP or out-of-hours services such as NHS 24. We expect that the flu season will continue for a number of weeks yet, but we do not know how long it will last or when the peak will be."
Flu figures for England were also released yesterday and appeared to reflect lower levels of illness than the Scottish data, with 51 cases per 100,000. However, Dr McMenamin said the two surveillance systems were not directly comparable.
The virus, along with other respiratory infections and icy weather causing slips and falls, has put pressure on accident and emergency departments.
NHS 24 is advising anyone experiencing flu symptoms to rest, take plenty of fluids and take regular doses of paracetamol to help keep their temperature down and ease aches and pains.
In addition, eligible patients are being urged to visit their GP to receive a flu vaccine, in particular people of all ages who have long-term medical problems such as asthma or diabetes. The target take-up among this group is 60% in Scotland but so far 46.6% have come forward.
