While flu levels are still relatively low, there has been an increase in cases over the last week and the illness is now ‘actively circulating in the community', the HSE has warned.

It is urging people who are at risk to get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible, despite concerns about the effectiveness of this season's vaccine.

The vaccine currently available is for a different strain of flu than the one that is circulating in the community. However, while it is estimated to only be about 25% effective against this strain, experts believe it may shorten the duration of the illness in anyone who develops it.

"Although flu is starting to circulate, flu levels currently remain relatively low. Despite this, we have had a number of confirmed influenza outbreaks, mainly in residential facilities for the elderly and disabled. Influenza is expected to increase over the coming weeks and circulate for at least the next six to eight weeks," commented Dr Darina O'Flanagan, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

During the second week of January, rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) rose from 15.5 per 100,000 to 29 per 100,000.

Dr O'Flanagan insisted that prevention is better than cure and this current increase in flu activity ‘means it is even more important to get your flu jab if you are in an at-risk group'.

The flu vaccine is available free of charge from GPs for all people in at-risk groups, and from pharmacists for all people in at risk groups who are over the age of 18. If a person does not have a medical card or GP visit card, they may be charged for the consultation.

At-risk groups are:
-People over the age of 65
-Pregnant women
-Morbidly obese people (with a BMI of over 40)
-Anyone with a chronic illness that requires regular medical check-ups, such as chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease and diabetes
-Anyone with lower immunity as a result of a disease or treatment
-Residents of nursing homes and other long-stay facilities
-Healthcare workers and carers of people in at-risk groups.

Dr O'Flanagan said that most people who are not in at-risk groups can get better at home if they develop flu.

"Anyone who gets flu should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol to ease symptoms. Anyone in one of the high-risk categories should contact their GP if they develop influenza symptoms. GPs may wish to prescribe antivirals for those presenting with influenza in the high-risk groups," she explained.

The symptoms of flu usually develop over only a few hours and include a high temperature, headache, dry cough, sore muscles and a sore throat. This is different from the common cold, which usually comes on more gradually and tends to includes a runny nose but a normal temperature.

"Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon as you can are important measures in helping prevent the spread of germs and reducing the risk of transmission," Dr O'Flanagan added.

Advice on how to cope with the flu and other common illnesses is available at the HSE's new website undertheweather.ie