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Health leaders have warned that the NHS is “prepared for an unprecedented flu wave this winter”.
But what exactly is this so-called “super flu”?
What is ‘Super Flu’?
This is not the official name of a virus, but so-called super flu refers to an illness that appears to be more intense and longer-lasting than expected.
This year’s flu season also started a month early, while the drifted influenza A (H3N2) strain – also known as subclade K – currently dominates cases in England, according to the UK Health Protection Agency (UKHSA).
Why has flu season started early this year?
last month, UKHSA told new strain Fueling the initial surge in cases.
The agency said there was an “unusually early increase” in activity, with “the increase first seen among teenagers and young adults, followed by young children”.
The spread of flu among children usually occurs before that of adults.
What are the symptoms of flu?
Flu can come on very quickly with symptoms such as sudden fever, fatigue, aches and pains, dry cough, sore throat, headache, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, feeling sick, and diarrhea.
What does the data show?
The first of this winter’s State of the NHS reports shows that the number of people in hospital with flu in England is set to be 50 per cent higher in 2024 than the current figure.
The latest figures show an average of 1,717 flu patients were in hospital beds each day, including 69 in critical care.
This is a 56 per cent increase on the equivalent number from the same week in 2024, when the total number stood at 1,098 and 39 were in critical care.
That’s also higher than the same point in 2023, when there were an average of 243 flu patients, and in 2022, when the average was 772.
New data will be published every Thursday.
What can you do to prevent flu?
Since flu spreads easily and can last up to 24 hours on surfaces, frequent hand washing and covering coughs or sneezes with tissue paper, which is then immediately thrown into the trash, can help.
Health leaders have also urged eligible people to come forward and get the flu vaccine.
Suggestions to wear masks came from Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of NHS Providers.
He said if people are coughing and sneezing but are healthy enough to go to work, they should consider wearing a mask in public places or on public transportation to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Does the flu jab work against subclade K strains?
Data from the UKHSA shows that this year’s vaccine is providing good protection against this strain.
Who is eligible for vaccination?
Flu jabs are available to anyone aged 65 and over, or to those under 65 who are considered at clinical risk.
Care home residents, carers, pregnant women, close contacts of immunocompromised people, frontline health workers and children can also get vaccinated.
What to do if you think you have the flu?
The NHS suggests rest, staying warm, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever, aches and pains. Pharmacists can also give advice about treatment.
The health service stresses that if people are over 65, pregnant, worried about their baby’s symptoms, have a long-term medical condition, have a weakened immune system or if symptoms do not improve after seven days, they should call NHS 111 or make an urgent GP appointment.