Over the previous week, no less than a dozen hospitals have declared important 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 displaying 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 supplied 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. “Nevertheless, it isn’t unprecedented to have a December spike in flu circumstances: we noticed one thing related in 2022.”
Is flu inflicting extra issues than regular presently 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 newest figures counsel, although, that the variety of circumstances of flu might have peaked, though exercise nonetheless stays at excessive ranges.
NHS England mentioned there was a mean of 5,408 sufferers a day in hospital with flu in the course of the week ending 9 January, together with 256 in important 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 price for influenza within the week ending 9 January in England remained secure 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 file 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 latest week there have been 628 inpatient circumstances of confirmed influenza, 45 of whom have been in important care. Northern Eire’s public well being company reported 702 distinctive episodes of influenza recognized, down from 924 the earlier week.
The way to inform whether it is flu or Covid?
Covid is at comparatively low ranges, so there isn’t any explicit motive to suppose you’ve acquired Covid reasonably than flu in the event you really feel unwell. In keeping with the newest figures Covid exercise remained secure throughout most indicators and was circulating at baseline ranges. In England, for instance, the general weekly hospital admission price for Covid final week was secure at 1.39 per 100,000 folks, in contrast with 1.32 within the earlier week
However there isn’t any technique to positively affirm a prognosis by signs alone with out testing. It is because most of the signs are the identical or related, in keeping with NHS England.
Do you have to take a look at for Covid in the event you really feel fluey?
Testing is mostly advisable if it could change your actions, for instance if you’re visiting an aged relative or immunocompromised particular person. It actually would simply depend upon whether or not there’s an motion you’ll 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 may not work, because the antibodies used to detect the virus can break down. Additionally, relying on when the take a look at was made, it could be much less properly matched to the variants of Covid in circulation.
When do you have to go to your GP?
The recommendation is you need to go to your GP if you’re extra wanting breath than traditional, 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 traditional – which could be a signal of dehydration – or have a really excessive or low temperature. In case your GP follow is closed, cellphone 111.
You need to cellphone 999 or go to A&E if in case you have extreme chest ache in the course of your chest that isn’t going away – it could really feel like stress, tightness or squeezing; if in case you have ache that spreads to your arms, again, neck and jaw; in the event you really feel extra drowsy than traditional 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 vital 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 every week, although you could have a lingering cough and nonetheless really feel very drained for a couple of extra weeks. They advocate victims get loads of sleep, maintain heat, drink a number of 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 college till you are feeling higher.
Who’s most affected by flu?
UKHSA information suggests these aged between 5 and 14 are the almost certainly to check optimistic for flu, however it’s older people who find themselves predominantly handled in hospital with the virus. In the latest week hospital admission charges for flu have 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. “If in case you have signs and wish to go away the home, our recommendation stays that you need to put on a face overlaying. Washing fingers frequently and utilizing and disposing tissues in bins can cut 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 individuals who are aged 65 or over, have sure long-term well being circumstances, are pregnant, reside in a care dwelling, are the principle carer for an older or disabled particular person or obtain a carer’s allowance or reside 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.
