CASES of a ‘super flu’ have been rising across the UK, with health officials warning children are being hit the hardest.
Brits are being urged to do what they can to stop the spread – with one school nurse sharing a key test to decide whether or not your kids should stay at home with their symptoms.
The NHS has predicted this year’s flu season could be the worst in decades.
And it’s all down to the a “mutant” flu strain.
Flu rates started climbing much sooner than usual this year, driven largely by cases in young adults and schoolchildren.
And experts warn the H3N2 strain, currently dominant in cases in England, mutated seven times over the summer, making it more severe than normal.
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The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency revealed hospital admissions for flu had risen from 3.39 to 4.56 per 100,000 in the week leading up to November 23.
With flu cases rising, the NHS issued an urgent “flu jab SOS”, urging those eligible to get vaccinated against the virus.
Annual vaccination remains the best way to help reduce the risk of flu and its potential serious complications – including pneumonia, inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
Parents in particularly are being reminded to complete their child’s vaccination consent forms to schools, or to book an appointment for two to three-year-olds, to ensure their child gets protected ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Abbie Sunderland, a school nurse and service manager for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, told Manchester Evening News: “One of the simplest ways to protect your family is to get the flu vaccine.
“It reduces the risk of becoming seriously unwell and helps stop flu spreading to more vulnerable relatives.”
Practising good hygiene, like frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes is another good way to stop the spread of flu, as well as staying home when you’re sick.
But if your child develops symptoms of a winter virus, how do you know when to keep them home from school?
Ms Sunderland shared a simple test for parents to use to decide whether or not to keep their unwell child at home.
She said: “The NHS guidance is simple to follow: for most children mild cold symptoms such as a runny nose, slight cough or sore throat wouldn’t stop them going to school.
“A temperature is usually a sign something isn’t quite right, so if they do have a high temperature (38 degrees or above), keep them off until it’s gone.”
Alongside flu, cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also on the rise – and like flu, there’s been a particularly steep rise in hospital admissions amongst children aged five and under.
RSV is a very common cause of severe illness in infants, and is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths in children under five globally each year.
RSV and flu are both respiratory viruses that share symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
But RSV symptoms often develop gradually and may include congestion.
Flu often has a more sudden onset and can cause more body aches.
A vaccine for RSV was introduced in the UK in September 2024, and is available on the NHS for pregnant women, to protect newborns, and for older adults aged 75 and over.
Everything you need to know about 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.
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can 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
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
There are things you can do to treat flu yourself:
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
- give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they’re distressed or uncomfortable – check the packaging or leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child, or speak to a pharmacist or GP if you’re not sure
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
But ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you or your child have symptoms of flu and:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after seven days
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- get sudden chest pain
- have difficulty breathing
- start coughing up a lot of blood
Source: NHS