Dr Ronán Murphy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Kerry, shares advice for people suffering from flu and other respiratory illnesses

HSE South West advises that flu activity remains high at University Hospital Kerry and the virus is still circulating widely in the community.

In this week’s Caring for Kerry message, Dr Ronán Murphy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Kerry, shares advice for people suffering from flu and other respiratory illnesses:

“We are seeing a large number of people presenting at the UHK emergency department with flu and other respiratory illnesses. Unfortunately some will need to be admitted, but others can manage the illness at home with rest, over-the-count medication and self-care.”

Dr Murphy’s advice on how to treat the flu at home includes:

• Rest and Sleep: Give your body time to recover—resting, getting plenty of sleep and good nutrition supports your immune system to fight the infection.
• Use Paracetamol regularly: Take paracetamol to help tolerate fever and ease aches or pains. Always follow the dosage guidelines and avoid doubling up on paracetamol if it's already in another medicine.
• If you feel you need more treatment in addition to Paracetamol to manage your symptoms, consider combining with regular Ibuprofen. It is worth speaking with your local Pharmacist about options for you in this regard, especially if you take regular medications.
• If you suffer from an underlying wheezing condition such as bronchitis or asthma, you may need to increase the use of some of your inhalers or nebulisers during the viral infection. You will likely have experience from doing this in the past, however, if in doubt, it is worth speaking with your local Pharmacist or General Practitioner (GP) who knows you and your medications best.
• Drink Plenty of Fluids: Stay well hydrated. Aim for fluids like water, and check that your pee is light yellow or clear as a sign of good hydration.

Dr Murphy added:

“Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation. We strongly encourage everyone in the community to get vaccinated, even at this stage of the winter. It’s never too late to vaccinate. Also consider measures to protect others in public places such as covering your sneeze, keeping your distance, and wearing a face cover especially if you have a bad cough or runny nose.”

Hospital Manager, Mary Fitzgerald added:

“University Hospital Kerry remains under significant strain due to high flu activity, which is adding to already high patient numbers. This has led to more patients on trolleys and reduced bed availability, even with extra surge capacity in place. When the ED is this busy, patients with less urgent problems may experience longer waits as we prioritise those most seriously ill. We expect flu activity to remain high for several more weeks. The team at UHK, along with colleagues across HSE South West, are working extremely hard to manage these pressures.”

In the last week of 2025, between four and five people were admitted to UHK with flu. While that number dropped slightly last week, there were still about three people who were flu-positive admitted each day. These figures do not include other respiratory illnesses such as RSV or COVID-19, which are also contributing to pressure on the hospital.

Ms Fitzgerald asked the people of Kerry to support the team at UHK by choosing the most appropriate service for their needs, keeping keep emergency care available for those who need it most

Other care options include:

• Self-care – Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet for colds, sore throats, and minor ailments.
• Pharmacy – Ask your pharmacist for advice on common minor illnesses.
• GP Surgery – Make an appointment with your GP if you’re feeling unwell. Additional GP availability: Many GPs across the country are providing extra in-person sessions for respiratory/acute consultations. Check practice websites or contact your GP directly for details of additional clinics.
• Out-of-Hours GP – If your GP clinic is closed, call SouthDoc on 0818 355 999.
• Injury units - check hse.ie/injuryunits for the nearest and most appropriate Injury Unit
• ED or 999/112 – For emergencies, visit your nearest ED or call 999/112 immediately.