Up and down the nation individuals are wanting ahead to gathering for Christmas, however it seems many might find yourself with an undesirable reward: flu.
In line with information from the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA), there was a pointy enhance in flu ranges in England, with evaluation of the most recent information from sentinel laboratories – primarily based on samples collected from main and secondary care – revealing an increase in influenza positivity from 2.4% to five.6% within the house of per week.
So what ought to we do, and the place does that depart our festivities?
What’s the present state of affairs with flu?
Influenza, higher referred to as flu, is on the rise in England. In line with the most recent report by the UKHSA, which covers 4-10 December, there was an increase in influenza-like-illness consultations in main care from 4.6 to five.3 per 100,000, in contrast with the earlier week.
There has additionally been a rise in influenza hospitalisations, and emergency division attendances and flu admissions to intensive care have each risen.
Nevertheless, the report means that whereas rising, such exercise at the moment stays inside baseline or low-impact ranges.
“Influenza infections all the time rise within the winter, often peaking a while about December to February. The one uncertainty is how excessive infections will rise and precisely when the height will occur,” mentioned Prof Paul Hunter of the College of East Anglia. “At current, flu tendencies seem like most years previous to Covid.”
What about Covid?
Covid ranges are additionally on the rise. Whereas the UKHSA has delayed the discharge of its winter Covid an infection survey outcomes for England and Scotland, the nationwide influenza and Covid-19 surveillance report reveals a rise in case charges and positivity in pillar one (largely hospital testing), with a small enhance in Covid hospitalisations.
How can I inform whether or not I’ve flu or Covid?
To know for certain you’d must have a take a look at, as each could make you are feeling horrible and so they share some frequent signs, together with fatigue and fever.
“It’s more and more troublesome to tell apart the signs of flu and Covid,” mentioned Hunter. “Issues with sense of scent are extra frequent in Covid and muscle aches and pains are extra frequent in flu however the distinction will not be adequate to be diagnostic.”
What ought to I do?
Public well being specialists have urged all these eligible for Covid or flu jabs on the NHS to verify they get vaccinated to guard themselves from critical sickness.
Dr Mary Ramsay, the director for immunisation and programmes on the UKHSA, mentioned whereas the NHS nationwide reserving system had now closed, these eligible for jabs may nonetheless speak to their GP or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.
“Additionally if in case you have been supplied the pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine, take up that,” mentioned Hunter. “Usually flu doesn’t kill instantly however triggers folks into creating pneumococcal pneumonia, which is what kills.”
If you don’t qualify for a flu jab on the NHS however want to be vaccinated, they’re out there privately – not like Covid jabs – for a value of about £10-£20 relying on the pharmacy and whether or not a loyalty scheme is concerned.
Nevertheless, entry varies: Boots says it isn’t at the moment taking additional on-line bookings for its non-public winter flu jab service, though walk-in appointments or in-store bookings should be out there, and company flu jab service prospects can apparently nonetheless e-book on-line.
The UKHSA has additionally really useful that antiviral medicines could be prescribed in main care settings for folks with flu if they’re in medical at-risk teams or are prone to extreme sickness and problems from the virus.
Antivirals for Covid are already out there for sure teams, though some have expressed confusion and frustration over well timed entry to such remedies.
“If you’re somebody who can be supplied antivirals, take a look at your self for Covid early,” mentioned Hunter, including that even whether it is unfavorable, it could counsel therapy for flu is perhaps vital.
What about Christmas?
With a number of Covid Christmases beneath Santa’s sizable belt, a lot of the recommendation this winter will likely be acquainted: wash palms, keep good air flow, think about sporting a masks in crowded areas, and if you’re feeling tough it’s best to remain tucked up and away from others, notably those that are extra weak.