The UK is currently facing a significant outbreak of a debilitating respiratory illness, commonly referred to as the ‘worst lurgy ever.’ Sufferers report persistent coughs lasting for weeks, often with symptoms reappearing just as recovery seems near. In response, a targeted vaccination program for flu and COVID-19 has been launched this winter to protect the most vulnerable groups.
NHS officials and the UK Health Security Agency strongly encourage eligible individuals to receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Recent updates from healthcare professionals indicate shifts in common COVID-19 symptoms this season, with some traditional symptoms declining and others, such as hoarseness, becoming more prevalent.
Hospital admissions due to influenza have reached unprecedented levels for this time of year. According to the NHS winter situation report, an average of 1,717 flu patients were hospitalised daily last week in England, including 69 in critical care units—an increase of 56% compared to the same period in 2024. This surge far exceeds figures from previous years, with only 243 patients hospitalised in 2023 and 772 in 2022 at this point in the season.
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Alongside the flu, infections from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are on the rise, raising particular concern for infants and older adults. Social media is buzzing with firsthand accounts as people share their struggles with the ongoing lurgy. Comments range from experienced conference attendees to parents battling the illness passed from children, all describing intense and prolonged symptoms.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national medical director for urgent and emergency care, confirmed the severity of the situation, stating, “Flu cases are now incredibly high, and these figures confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter.” He emphasized that despite earlier preparations, the combination of soaring cases and staff strikes could stretch NHS resources to the brink.
The NHS urges those eligible—people aged 65 and over, individuals under 65 with clinical risk factors, care home residents and carers, pregnant women, close contacts of immunosuppressed persons, frontline healthcare workers, and children—to get vaccinated promptly to maximise immunity before Christmas.
Ambulance handover delays have also worsened, with 30% of patients arriving last week experiencing waits of at least 30 minutes before transfer to emergency teams.
Contributing to the surge is a new COVID-19 strain called Stratus, currently circulating in the UK. This variant, with two subtypes, often causes hoarseness along with common symptoms of fatigue and fever. Infectious disease experts note a shift in symptoms: a severe, sharp sore throat has become a predominant complaint this season, while the once-common loss of taste or smell has diminished significantly.
Dr. Nabil Jarad, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Spire Bristol Hospital, points out the difficulty in distinguishing between colds, flu, and emerging COVID variants due to overlapping symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and runny nose. Understanding which illness one has is crucial for effective management.
Typically, cold symptoms develop gradually and include mild cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, body aches, and mild fatigue, usually resolving within 7-10 days but sometimes lasting up to two weeks. These respiratory illnesses are contagious, especially through close contact.
To reduce the spread of infections and protect vulnerable populations, individuals are advised to practice good hygiene, isolate when symptomatic, and get vaccinated where eligible.