21 December 2023 , 17:38
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These are all the symptoms of the various illnesses circulating through the UK ahead of Christmas.
As usual, when the weather turns colder, the country sees various viruses and other bugs picking up. As Brits head inside to socialise, conditions benefit these pathogens more and more, allowing their increased spread. The UK Health Security Agency described the current hike in rates amongst Covid and flu as "unsurprising" as norovirus remains on the way up too.
In their weekly winter briefing the UKHSA said there was a "notable increase" in influenza positivity which had nearly doubled on the previous week. Meanwhile, ICU admissions and A&E attendances for flu and flu-like illnesses were on the rise as well.
Both Covid and flu, and other bugs and viruses, threaten to cause chaos this festive season, throwing Christmas parties into jeopardy. Brits can stop the spread, as ever, by practising good hygiene, washing their hands regularly with soap, making sure inside spaces are well ventilated and not venturing out if you’re ill yourself.
Covid rates are on the rise in most regions and age groups. Whilst ICU admission remains low and stable for now, given the current rise in case rates, through a time lag, come the new year and into January hospital admissions and ICU rates are expected to rise too.
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Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, said: "The effects of the recent cold weather and increased socialising indoors in the run up to Christmas are unsurprisingly causing flu and COVID-19 to spread more easily and numbers infected going up further.
"If you are eligible for a flu and COVID-19 vaccine you can still speak to your GP about getting vaccinated to help protect you from these infections. Alternatively, local pharmacies continue to offer both bookable flu and walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for free on the NHS. Nobody wants to get their new year off to a bad start so be sure to gift yourself the best possible protection against flu and COVID-19 as we head into peak season.
"Pregnant women and those in clinical risk groups are at higher risk of complications from flu but over 60% of these groups remain unvaccinated - so we urge them to come forward. Children aged 2 or 3 years are also eligible for a quick and painless nasal spray flu vaccine, which helps prevent hospitalisations, as well as helps parents from not having to juggle a poorly child with work and other commitments.
"If you are showing signs of a respiratory illness, like flu and COVID-19, try to limit your contact with others as much as possible, particularly those who are more vulnerable."
But, many Brits will be wondering what to keep an eye out for with so many bugs circulating. Without Covid tests, it is difficult to know whether you’re suffering from that, or another illness. According to the NHS, the symptoms for Covid are "very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu." The following are listed by the NHS as symptoms of Covid:
A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
These are almost identical to flu symptoms, the NHS says, warning this can come on “very quickly” and include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
Meanwhile, Norovirus is also on the rise, and health chiefs recommend that if you’re suffering from this, or any other diarrhoea-causing stomach bug, you shouldn’t be preparing the Christmas dinner. Dr Lesley Larkin, Interim Deputy Director, Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division at UKHSA said: "Norovirus cases continue to rise, especially among those 65 and older and in care homes.
"If you have norovirus or any other stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends over the festive period. Don’t prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop. Many of us will be travelling for Christmas, but you should avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings. Do not return to work or school once term restarts, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.
"Washing your hands with soap and water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading."
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The main symptoms of norovirus are:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)