The Health Protection Agency has advised the public to take vaccination and precautionary treatment for influenza, revealing its prediction of an outbreak in the coming days.

Following an increase in influenza-positive patients during the past few days, the agency urged the public to take the required precautionary measures to ensure safety.

The public has been asked to consult a doctor if their flu prevails for more than three days.

Some of the precautionary measures that have been urged include regular hand washing, taking more fluids if one catches the cold, only using paracetamol if one has a high temperature as well as covering one’s nose and mouth when coughing to make sure that others don’t get infected.

Earlier this year, HPA advised people to take the vaccine once a year and that the country has seen an influenza outbreak during that time of the year in the past as well.

While influenza and its complications can be deadly, individuals who are 65 and older, individuals with certain chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma or heart diseases, pregnant women, children below five and those who have recently undergone a transplant are more prone to getting complications.

According to HPA, the vaccine will be available from STO and ADK Pharmacy.