There has been a spike in flu-like symptoms around the country.

The Irish Pharmacy Union says chemists are reporting a sharp increase in the number of people asking for cold and flu advice over the past two weeks.

The IPU’s Ann Marie Horan says there are a number of viruses circulating at this time of year and many are very hard to shift.

Ms Horan said: “Just this time of year, in the last two weeks we have seen an increase in the number of people coming in with persistent respiratory cold and flu-like symptoms.

“There are a number of viruses around at this time of year and many are hard to shift.

“Antibiotics don’t cure the viral cold or flu, but a flu vaccination, it’s not too late to get it, will prevent the flu.”