Flu or a cold?
Flu usually comes on suddenly, with fever, weakness and aching all over. The Topics section explains in general terms how it differs from other respiratory viruses.
the cold-and-flu season without panic: a guide to flu and colds
Pravdaogrippe: a calm guide to flu and colds
Every winter the news fills up with alarming headlines again, and family group chats with tips that are “guaranteed to work”. We offer a different approach: a calm look at how viruses spread, what you can do in advance, how to help someone who is ill at home and when it is time to see a doctor. No promises, no fear and no names of medicines.
You cannot cancel the cold-and-flu season, but you can prepare for it as calmly as for the first snow: early, without rushing and as a family.
Where to start
Prevention
Talking to your doctor about the flu jab, clean hands, fresh air and the habit of staying home when unwell. The Prevention section sets out a step-by-step plan.
Ill at home
Rest, fluids, their own cup and towel, and fresh air in the room. The Home care section explains how to look after someone without unnecessary fuss.
When to call a doctor
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or getting worse after starting to feel better cannot wait. Warning signs and questions for your doctor are gathered in one place.
Guide sections
- Topics
Flu, other respiratory viruses, lingering coughs, the flu season and risk groups, topic by topic, plus our article catalogue.
- Prevention
How to get your home and family ready for flu season: talking about the flu jab, hygiene and a plan in case of illness.
- Home care
Caring for someone who is ill without medicines: rest, fluids, fresh air, their own cup and towel, and close attention.
- Research
How to read flu news and bold promises about “miracle remedies” without losing your calm or your common sense.
- Ask a doctor
What to ask your doctor about the flu jab, illness at home, children, older relatives and long-term conditions.
- Glossary
Flu and cold vocabulary in plain English, from incubation period and strain to placebo and sick note.
- Sources
What the guide is based on, where its limits lie and how to make good use of it during the cold-and-flu season.
Getting ready for the season: five steps
Talk to your doctor about the flu jab
Autumn is a good time to ask your GP or your child's doctor whether you and your family need a flu jab this season. The doctor will take each person's age, health and circumstances into account.
Agree on hygiene rules at home
Wash your hands when you come in and before eating, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and keep unwashed hands away from your face. When everyone shares a rule, it is easier for everyone to remember.
Make a plan in case someone falls ill
Decide in advance who will collect the children from school or nursery if one of the adults is ill, and whether working from home is an option for a while. That way illness will not catch you off guard.
Stock up on simple things
Tissues, a thermometer, soap, and a separate towel and mug for whoever falls ill. We do not put medicines on this list: what to keep at home is for your doctor to decide.
Put important numbers where you can see them
Write down Russia's emergency number 112 and ambulance number 103 (or your local emergency number) and your doctor's practice on a note by the front door or on the fridge, not just in your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a doctor, a clinic or a pharmacy?
No. Pravdaogrippe is an independent guide. We do not see patients, give consultations or sell medicines, and we do not present ourselves as a medical organisation. Our aim is to help you prepare calmly for a conversation with your doctor.
Which medicine should I choose for flu?
We do not name or evaluate any medicines. The right treatment depends on a person's age, health conditions and how they feel, so it is chosen by a doctor after an examination.
When do I need an ambulance?
If someone has difficulty breathing, chest pain or confusion, if a high temperature stays high and will not come down, or if they get noticeably worse after starting to feel better, call 112 or 103 in Russia (or your local emergency number). It is better to call for help unnecessarily than too late.
Do I need a flu jab every year?
WHO recommends yearly vaccination: protection wanes over time, and the vaccine composition is regularly updated to match the viruses expected in the new season. Discuss with your doctor whether the jab is right for you.
About the guide
Pravdaogrippe is an independent guide for adults and families who want to get through the cold-and-flu season without panic. We explain in plain words the general information about flu and other respiratory viruses that WHO and health authorities rely on, and we are honest about where a reference guide ends and a doctor's work begins.
This guide has no connection with earlier websites on this domain and does not reproduce their content. We do not name medicines or active ingredients, publish treatment instructions, prices or reviews, or promote anyone.
Read next
- Topics
Flu, other respiratory viruses, lingering coughs, the flu season and risk groups, topic by topic, plus our article catalogue.
- Prevention
How to get your home and family ready for flu season: talking about the flu jab, hygiene and a plan in case of illness.
- Home care
Caring for someone who is ill without medicines: rest, fluids, fresh air, their own cup and towel, and close attention.
- Ask a doctor
What to ask your doctor about the flu jab, illness at home, children, older relatives and long-term conditions.
Sources
- WHO — Influenza (seasonal) fact sheet
- Russian health authorities and the health authority of your country — general recommendations
This page is based on general information about seasonal flu available at the time of writing. Advice is updated every season, so check with your doctor what is right for you and your family.