Over the previous week, at the very least a dozen hospitals have declared essential incidents because the rise in flu admissions and respiratory diseases has led to “exceptionally excessive calls for”.
Hospitals in Birmingham, Cornwall, Hampshire, Liverpool, Northamptonshire and Plymouth have been amongst these affected, with figures exhibiting the variety of folks admitted to hospital in England with flu quadrupled final month.
“I don’t suppose it helped that the flu vaccine was provided later this yr, in contrast with final, for some teams,” Dr Simon Williams, a behavioural scientist and public well being researcher at Swansea College, has mentioned. “Nonetheless, it isn’t unprecedented to have a December spike in flu circumstances: we noticed one thing comparable in 2022.”
Is flu inflicting extra issues than regular at the moment of yr?
Newest information from the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) suggests flu ranges and hospital admissions are larger than this time final yr. The most recent figures recommend, although, that the variety of circumstances of flu could have peaked, though exercise nonetheless stays at excessive ranges.
NHS England mentioned there was a median of 5,408 sufferers a day in hospital with flu through the week ending 9 January, together with 256 in essential care – 3.5 instances larger than the identical week final yr (1,548 within the week ending 7 January 2024). The general weekly hospital admission fee for influenza within the week ending 9 January in England remained steady at 13.41 per 100,000 folks, in contrast with 13.90 within the earlier week.
Public Well being Scotland reported flu-related hospital admissions, which had reached a report excessive of 1,596 within the final week of 2024, had decreased by 36% to 1,021 within the week ending 9 January. Public Well being Wales reported in the newest week there have been 628 inpatient circumstances of confirmed influenza, 45 of whom had been in essential care. Northern Eire’s public well being company reported 702 distinctive episodes of influenza recognized, down from 924 the earlier week.
How you can inform whether it is flu or Covid?
Covid is at comparatively low ranges, so there is no such thing as a specific motive to suppose you’ve acquired Covid relatively than flu for those who really feel unwell. Based on the most recent figures Covid exercise remained steady throughout most indicators and was circulating at baseline ranges. In England, for instance, the general weekly hospital admission fee for Covid final week was steady at 1.39 per 100,000 folks, in contrast with 1.32 within the earlier week
However there is no such thing as a approach to positively verify a analysis by signs alone with out testing. It’s because most of the signs are the identical or comparable, in line with NHS England.
Do you have to take a look at for Covid for those who really feel fluey?
Testing is usually really useful if it could change your actions, for instance in case you are visiting an aged relative or immunocompromised particular person. It actually would simply depend upon whether or not there’s an motion you’d take relying on the result of the take a look at.
Will Covid exams work if they’ve been stored for a very long time in a drawer?
If the exams have been stored previous their expiry date they won’t work, because the antibodies used to detect the virus can break down. Additionally, relying on when the take a look at was made, it might be much less effectively matched to the variants of Covid in circulation.
When do you have to go to your GP?
The recommendation is it’s best to go to your GP in case you are extra wanting breath than standard, have ache on inhaling or coughing, really feel sick or are being sick, are coughing up blood (haemoptysis), have coronary heart palpitations, are peeing lower than standard – which is usually a signal of dehydration – or have a really excessive or low temperature. In case your GP observe is closed, cellphone 111.
It’s best to cellphone 999 or go to A&E in case you have extreme chest ache in the midst of your chest that isn’t going away – it might really feel like stress, tightness or squeezing; in case you have ache that spreads to your arms, again, neck and jaw; for those who really feel extra drowsy than standard or discover it tougher to get up; or in case your lips or pores and skin are turning very pale, blue or gray – on brown or black pores and skin that is simpler to see on the palms of your fingers.
How essential is it to relaxation after having flu?
NHS web sites state signs of flu normally develop one to a few days after turning into contaminated. Most individuals will really feel higher inside per week, although you’ll have a lingering cough and nonetheless really feel very drained for a number of extra weeks. They advocate victims get loads of sleep, maintain heat, drink numerous water to keep away from dehydration, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to decrease your temperature and deal with aches and pains, and keep off work or faculty till you’re feeling higher.
Who’s most affected by flu?
UKHSA information suggests these aged between 5 and 14 are the more than likely to check optimistic for flu, however it’s older people who find themselves predominantly handled in hospital with the virus. In the newest week hospital admission charges for flu had been highest in these aged 85 years and over.
What can folks do to guard themselves?
Prof Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser at UKHSA, has emphasised the significance of limiting contact with others, particularly susceptible folks, if flu or Covid signs come up. “In case you have signs and want to depart the home, our recommendation stays that it’s best to put on a face masking. Washing fingers often and utilizing and disposing tissues in bins can scale back the unfold of respiratory diseases.”
Is it too late to get a flu jab?
For these eligible for an NHS flu jab, the final date is 31 March 2025.
NHS flu jabs can be found for many who are aged 65 or over, have sure long-term well being situations, are pregnant, dwell in a care house, are the primary carer for an older or disabled particular person or obtain a carer’s allowance or dwell with somebody who has a weakened immune system, in addition to kids aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024, school-age kids (Reception to 12 months 11), and frontline well being and social care employees.
