The NHS is under intense pressure this winter as flu cases rise sooner than normal, with some calling it “super flu”. Here’s what you should learn about this yr’s flu season and find out how to protect yourself.
What is ‘superflu’?
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said: “With record demand for A&E and ambulances and a looming resident doctor strike, this unprecedented wave of superflu is the worst the NHS has faced for this time of year.”
Although the term is now repeated steadily within the media, it was not intended to be a brand new scientific designation. Although the flu season began early, each the spread of the virus and the severity of the illness remain inside what experts consider normal for a flu season.
Influenza viruses are consistently evolving to evade our immune systems, which is why the flu vaccine should be updated often. Some years the virus mutates greater than others, and it often goes through a significant mutation every time Four to five years.
The “subtype” of flu that prevailed this yr, called influenza A/H3N2, has been around ever since. 1968 And in that point there have been greater than a dozen changes. By this definition, we see “superfluids” every few years.
Is the situation within the UK really as bad as some headlines make it out to be?
The situation is not unprecedented — it’s throughout the range of what scientists would expect in a foul flu season.
Because the season began early, it’s misleading to directly compare cases and hospitalizations for a similar week in previous years. In fact, there’s a situation-by-situation comparison, as one, bearing in mind the beginning of the early season Recent analysis Me and my colleagues did shows.
Which areas of the UK are most affected?
The most vital consideration from a public health perspective is the burden on health care systems in several regions, which is set by what the virus is and what resources can be found in those regions.
Available data only provide general trends in infection on the regional level. England’s influenza season has begun Before Scotlandfor , for , for , . Wells And Northern Irelandso we may expect the situation to be made earlier in England than elsewhere.
Based on Data For England, the North and Midlands are prone to experience flu rates – but not significantly – from the UK’s Health Security Agency.
Why are we seeing more flu cases in young people?
Children and adolescents usually tend to turn out to be infected attributable to high contact rates in schools, where there’s high prevalence, and since their immune systems are less experienced in coping with the flu virus.
Adults are less prone to be infected overall, as they often have lower contact rates and have stronger immune systems. Further experience with influenza. However, people over the age of 64 usually tend to have existing health conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness in the event that they do get an infection, and their immune systems have begun to weaken in a process called Immune.
Children are also at higher risk of severe disease Because their immune systems are still developed.
People of comparable age are affected by it Similar flu viruseswhich can explain why certain age groups are more vulnerable to the flu than others in certain seasons. It could also be that this yr the virus has found an immunity gap in children that doesn’t exist in other age groups.
The vaccine is less effective for older people, so should they still get it?
The latest data shows that the flu vaccine reduces the chance of being hospitalized with the flu 30 to 40% In older people it’s lower than the vaccine against another viruses, but just like previous years of flu.
So this yr’s recommendations are unchanged: vaccination continues to be the very best thing you possibly can do to guard yourself and help reduce the burden on the NHS.
Ackman/EPA site
Why is the effectiveness of vaccines different in several age groups?
This season’s vaccines are being offered Effective protection Children against severe flu have a couple of 70 to 75% lower probability of being hospitalized with the flu if vaccinated, and as mentioned above, adults have a 30 to 40% lower probability of attending or being admitted.
Children are offered nasal sprays, while adults are given injections. Studies show that the nasal spray vaccine works higher in children and fewer well in adults, which is why recommendations vary. So one reason for the difference is that we’re comparing estimates for various vaccines in addition to different age groups.
Another reason is differences in existing exemptions. Adults have already been exposed to many flu viruses of their lives, so the additional advantage of a further vaccine might be smaller — but still helpful — than for a toddler.
What should I do if I feel I’ve caught it: call 111, stay home, or go to A&E?
If you might be sick, stay home, rest, and take sensible precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others. Getting influenza may be very unpleasant, but almost everyone gets it Once every five years. In most cases, people recover on their very own. But you need to still follow it NHS guidelines About searching for treatment.
Are there test kits (background flow) I should buy on the pharmacy, like there have been for covid?
Yes, there are very similar tests for the flu and you possibly can buy them at pharmacies and online. While it’s interesting to know whether it’s influenza or one other virus that is making you sick, the recommendation if you will have flu symptoms is identical whatever the virus.
Is it too late to get the vaccine – provided that it takes two weeks for the vaccine to kick in properly?
No, it isn’t too late, and the earlier the higher! Even after the height of the epidemic, it can take just a few months for cases to achieve low levels again. There continues to be a risk of infection during this time, so any additional protection from the vaccine continues to be helpful.