NHS starts to face winter pressures as flu patients soar
Winter pressures are starting to build as the NHS sees a 55% jump in flu patients needing hospital treatment in a week.
According to the Guardian, the past week has seen an average of 2,660 patients a day in an NHS hospital bed with flu. A significant increase from 1,717 last week. By comparison, in the same week last year the number of patients in hospital with flu stood at 1,861, compared with 402 in 2023.
During a particularly bad flu wave in 2017-18 more than 20,000 excess deaths associated with flu infection were recorded. The dominant strain during that wave (H3N2) is the same that is circulating now.
What is flu?
Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're advised to.
Find out more about the symptoms of flu, how to treat flu yourself, and when to go to the hospital on the NHS website.
During winter the NHS often faces increased demands on acute hospital services and primary care. This is driven by increases in people needing hospital care for respiratory illnesses and health complications caused by the cold weather.
The UK Health Security Agency is urging all eligible groups to ensure they help protect themselves against flu and RSV as cases sharply increase.
The flu vaccine offers the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. However, it can take up to 2 weeks following vaccination to develop antibodies and an immune response. This is why – with just 3 weeks until Christmas - it’s important that anyone who is eligible books an appointment now to ensure they have the best protection possible in time for the festive period.
How to avoid spreading the flu
Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days.
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand)
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
