IF you have the flu, do not go to A&E — that is the message from health bosses who are urging sufferers to stay at home.

They say the best way to get better and avoid passing it on to other people is to stay indoors and keep warm.

Dr Kate Corlett, Medical Director at NHS Newham, said: “Please do not go to or call A&E if you think you have the flu unless you are seriously unwell.

“The Urgent Care Centre at Newham University Hospital is extremely busy due to the number of people with flu going to A&E. If you have a high temperature and flu-like symptoms please do not go to A&E.”

She said this year most people are experiencing flu symptoms for around five to seven days. The best thing to do is: Keep warm and stay indoors until your symptoms have passed; Drink lots of water; Take a mild pain killer such as paracetamol if you need to.

If you need advice you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 at any time.”

You should also wash your hands regularly with soap and water, clean surfaces regularly, use tissues to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and put used ones in the bin as soon as possible. You should stay away from vulnerable people, so don’t visit a hospital.

If you think you have the flu and you have an existing illness that weakens your immune system, are pregnant, under one year old, or your condition suddenly gets worse or lasts longer than seven days for you or five days for a child, call your GP surgery.

If your condition gets much worse and you need to see a GP then you can go to the GP-led walk-in service at the Vicarage Lane Health Centre, 10 Vicarage Lane, Stratford.

It is open from 8am to 8pm every day of the week and you do not need to be registered with them to use the service. You can call the service on 8536 2080. To avoid getting the flu you can get a flu jab from your GP.