Ireland is "in the eye of a respiratory virus storm" Chief Medical Officer Professor Breda Smyth has warned, as cases of Covid-19 and flu increase significantly.
On top of that, Strep A has been causing concern for many parents, as the HSE confirm that four children have died from the infection, as well as three adults in recent months. HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said that while each death is a "tragic case", he highlighted that these cases are "exceptionally rare".
Meanwhile, flu cases have increased by 75 per cent and hospitalisations have increased by 35 per cent, according to Prof Smyth. There were 120 cases of Covid cases diagnosed in hospitals reported to the Department of Health on Wednesday morning, with 19 cases in ICU.
Read more: CMO asks public for 'two simple things' ahead of Christmas amid surge illnesses
If you or your family members are feeling unwell over Christmas, here are the symptoms you should know about:
Covid-19
Most common Covid-19 symptoms, according to the HSE:
fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above) - including having chills
dry cough
fatigue
Less common symptoms:
loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
runny or blocked nose
conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)
sore throat
headache
muscle or joint pain
different types of skin rash
nausea or vomiting
diarrhoea
chills or dizziness
Severe symptoms:
shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
loss of appetite
confusion
pain or pressure in the chest
Read more: New mask advice as health chief reveals Covid-19 concerns
How long is it contagious?
It can take up to 14 days after you are infected for symptoms to show. You can spread Covid-19 during this time.
What to do if you have symptoms?
Even if you are fully vaccinated you should follow these guidelines. If you have any Covid-19 symptoms, even mild ones, you should:
self-isolate until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone
wear a face mask if you have to be around other people
Strep A
Symptoms of Strep A, according to the HSE are:
sore throat
high temperature (38 degrees Celsius or higher)
chills
muscle aches
The HSE say that most people with a high temperature or a sore throat have a virus and not Strep A.
Contact your GP urgently if your child:
is feeding, eating or drinking much less than normal
has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius
is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius or higher
feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
is very tired or irritable
Read more: Leo Varadkar rules out 'Covid measures' to tackle Strep A outbreak
What to do if your child has symptoms?
Strep A can usually be treated at home. A child can usually be given paracetamol (Calpol) or ibuprofen. Ask your pharmacy for advice. However, if you are concerned, contact your GP or bring your child to ED. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
If your child has symptoms they should stay at home - do not send them into school or creche.
Is Strep A contagious and how can you avoid it?
Strep A is contagious and so the best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands regularly. If you can count how many times you have washed your hands that day, you have not washed them enough
Read more: Irish people have longest life span in the EU, new data shows
Flu (influenze)
Most common flu symptoms include:
Muscle aches
High fever
Headache
Feeling weak
Finding it hard to get out of bed
You many develop a cough after a few days
Other symptoms may include:
sore throat
difficulty sleeping
loss of appetite
diarrhoea or tummy pain
nausea and vomiting
Symptoms in children are similar, but they may also get a pain in their ear.
Read more: 'My baby turned blue' - Dublin boy flown to Sweden for life-saving treatment after RSV infection
How do I treat the flu?
Flu can usually be treated without seeing a GP. If you have flu symptoms you should:
Stay indoors.
Rest and sleep.
Keep warm.
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Your pee should be light yellow or clear.
Don't smoke
How long does the flu last?
You should feel better in about a week. If you are concerned, are over 65, pregnant, have a long-term medical condition, or symptoms don't improve after a week, contact your GP.
Read next:
- Dublin doctor sees spike in cases of hypothermia in older people in unheated homes
- Half of Long Covid patients experience one serious side effect, according to Irish study
- Long Covid symptoms could be ruining sex lives, warns GP
- The most common side effect of Covid booster - and how to treat it
- 'My baby died at 20 weeks but a simple test could have saved his life'
