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Over the past week, at least a dozen hospitals have declared critical incidents as the rise in flu admissions and respiratory illnesses has led to “exceptionally high demands”.
Hospitals in Birmingham, Cornwall, Hampshire, Liverpool, Northamptonshire and Plymouth have been among those affected, with figures showing the number of people admitted to hospital in England with flu quadrupled last month.
“I don’t think it helped that the flu vaccine was offered later this year, compared with last, for some groups,” Dr Simon Williams, a behavioural scientist and public health researcher at Swansea University, has said. “However, it is not unprecedented to have a December spike in flu cases: we saw something similar in 2022.”
Is flu causing more problems than normal at this time of year?
Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests flu levels and hospital admissions are higher than this time last year. The latest figures suggest, though, that the number of cases of flu may have peaked, although activity still remains at high levels.
NHS England said there was an average of 5,408 patients a day in hospital with flu during the week ending 9 January, including 256 in critical care – 3.5 times higher than the same week last year (1,548 in the week ending 7 January 2024). The overall weekly hospital admission rate for influenza in the week ending 9 January in England remained stable at 13.41 per 100,000 people, compared with 13.90 in the previous week.
Public Health Scotland reported flu-related hospital admissions, which had reached a record high of 1,596 in the last week of 2024, had decreased by 36% to 1,021 in the week ending 9 January. Public Health Wales reported in the most recent week there were 628 inpatient cases of confirmed influenza, 45 of whom were in critical care. Northern Ireland’s public health agency reported 702 unique episodes of influenza identified, down from 924 the previous week.
How to tell if it is flu or Covid?
Covid is at relatively low levels, so there is no particular reason to think you’ve got Covid rather than flu if you feel unwell. According to the latest figures Covid activity remained stable across most indicators and was circulating at baseline levels. In England, for example, the overall weekly hospital admission rate for Covid last week was stable at 1.39 per 100,000 people, compared with 1.32 in the previous week
But there is no way to definitely confirm a diagnosis by symptoms alone without testing. This is because many of the symptoms are the same or similar, according to NHS England.
Should you test for Covid if you feel fluey?
Testing is generally recommended if it would change your actions, for example if you are visiting an elderly relative or immunocompromised person. It really would just depend on whether there is an action you would take depending on the outcome of the test.
Will Covid tests work if they have been kept for a long time in a drawer?
If the tests have been kept past their expiry date they might not work, as the antibodies used to detect the virus can break down. Also, depending on when the test was made, it may be less well matched to the variants of Covid in circulation.
When should you go to your GP?
The advice is you should visit your GP if you are more short of breath than usual, have pain on breathing in or coughing, feel sick or are being sick, are coughing up blood (haemoptysis), have heart palpitations, are peeing less than usual – which can be a sign of dehydration – or have a very high or low temperature. If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
You should phone 999 or go to A&E if you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing; if you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw; if you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up; or if your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands.
How important is it to rest after having flu?
NHS websites state symptoms of flu usually develop one to three days after becoming infected. Most people will feel better within a week, though you may have a lingering cough and still feel very tired for a few more weeks. They recommend sufferers get plenty of sleep, keep warm, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains, and stay off work or school until you feel better.
Who is most affected by flu?
UKHSA data suggests those aged between five and 14 are the most likely to test positive for flu, but it is older people who are predominantly treated in hospital with the virus. In the most recent week hospital admission rates for flu were highest in those aged 85 years and over.
What can people do to protect themselves?
Prof Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser at UKHSA, has emphasised the importance of limiting contact with others, especially vulnerable people, if flu or Covid symptoms arise. “If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should wear a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.”
Is it too late to get a flu jab?
For those eligible for an NHS flu jab, the last date is 31 March 2025.
NHS flu jabs are available for those who are aged 65 or over, have certain long-term health conditions, are pregnant, live in a care home, are the main carer for an older or disabled person or receive a carer’s allowance or live with someone who has a weakened immune system, as well as children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024, school-age children (Reception to Year 11), and frontline health and social care workers.
