Prepare for winter

If you’re feeling under the weather, symptom checkers or the NHS 24 Online app may be able to provide the advice you need quickly.

These tools are free to use and are designed by the experts at NHS 24. They can:

• offer quick information on various symptoms
• provide advice on what to do next
• give details of nearby health and care services

The vaccines that will help protect you from flu and coronavirus this winter are now available.

NHS Scotland strongly recommends that you get your vaccines as soon as they’re offered to you.

Find out more about winter vaccine

Check in advance that you have enough of your prescribed medicine to last throughout the Christmas and New Year holidays.

You should submit your prescription requests at least a week before Christmas. This will give your GP practice and pharmacy enough time to process your request.

Using a self-help guide

If you run out of your prescribed medicine and your GP practice or pharmacy are closed, the accessing medicines self-help guide can help you find out where to get your medicines.

Make sure you have some over-the-counter remedies for common illnesses at home.

Good things to have available at home include:

• paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief (check the label or speak to your pharmacist to check it’s suitable for you)
• antihistamines to help allergies
• anti-diarrhoeals for diarrhoea
• indigestion remedies like an antacid
• mild laxatives for constipation
• a first aid kit which includes plasters, bandages and antiseptic wipes for cuts and scrapes
• medicines specifically for children
• a thermometer to check for fevers

Your pharmacist can advise you on the best medicines for you and your family. Always follow the advice on the medicine pack and do not get too much medicine as it can go out of date.

Coughs, colds, fevers and flu are common at this time of year. NHS inform has lots of advice about winter illness and how to safely manage your symptoms at home.

Get advice about winter illness

The winter months can be a difficult time for many people. The drop in temperature and shorter days can have an impact on your mental wellbeing.

If you’re feeling down, you could try to:

• keep up social connections with friends and family – do this online or by phone if you’re unable to get out and about
• keep physically active when you can
• eat well

Where to get more advice and support

• anxiety self-help guide
• depression self-help guide
• seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

If you have vulnerable neighbours or relatives, or know someone who may need extra support, check in with them to make sure they:

• are feeling well
• are warm enough at home
• have enough food and medicines if they’re unable to go out in bad weather

If you’re worried that someone isn’t coping, support networks and organisations can help.

You can get more advice on how to take care of yourself and others this winter by contacting:

• your local council
• Age Scotland
• the Energy Saving Trust
• Ready Scotland
• the Met Office

It’s important to keep warm in winter, both inside and outdoors. Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems.

Try to heat your home to a temperature that’s comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you use regularly, like your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition.

To keep warm this winter, you could also try to:

• close your windows and curtains at night – find more ways to reduce home heat loss
• wear warm clothing – several layers of thin clothing are better than one thick layer
• keep active at home – try to move around every hour
• eat at least one hot meal a day
• have regular hot drinks
• wrap up well and wear shoes with a good grip if you do need to go out in the cold