The UK is grappling with a sharp surge in flu cases, government health officials announced today. Surveillance data tracking the outbreak reveals that flu-related hospital admissions have soared, now standing at four times the level recorded just a month ago.

According to BBC, latest data shows there were 5,000 patients with the virus being treated in hospital at the end of last week – almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023, although not as high as in 2022.

The head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told the BBC that pressure on hospitals is “unacceptably awful” and flu is pushing them to breaking point. It comes as health officials warn about the impact of the very cold weather expected this weekend on vulnerable patients, and the health system.

Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, told the BBC the figures show “the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the new year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospitals as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate.”

“With what looks like an extreme cold snap expected right across England ahead of the weekend, we know the low temperatures can be dangerous for those who are vulnerable or have respiratory conditions,” he added.

According to National Health Service (NHS) UK, 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.

The healthcare system in the United Kingdom advises individuals to monitor for flu symptoms, which typically develop rapidly. Common symptoms include a sudden high temperature, body aches, fatigue or exhaustion, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhea or abdominal pain, and nausea or vomiting. In children, symptoms may also include ear pain and reduced activity levels. Being aware of these signs can help in early detection and management of the flu.

The head of NHS England has urged people in the UK to get vaccinated before Christmas as cases of “festive flu” continue to rise. This winter, the UK has seen a sharp increase in flu, norovirus (the winter vomiting bug), and RSV (a virus causing cold and cough-like symptoms).

Last week, an average of 1,861 flu patients were admitted to hospitals daily, up from 1,099 the previous week and 402 during the same period last year.

With illnesses surging ahead of the festive season, health officials have warned of a potential “quad-demic” and even described the situation as a looming “tidal wave” for hospitals.

What is Festival Flu?

According to American Lung Association, the terms “Festival Flu” or “Coachella Cough” are used as an overarching slang term for various illnesses people can pick up at music and film festivals. These include colds, flus and more serious infections. As such, the most common symptoms of festival flu include coughing, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, fever and body aches. “It’s usually not a specific illness but a combination of lack of sleep, lack of nutrition screaming, shouting and dehydration,” said Cedric “Jamie” Rutland, M.D., a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician and Lung Association spokesperson.

How Do You Treat Festival Flu?

Though there is no one treatment for festival flu, drinking plenty of fluids, getting lots of rest and taking over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms is a good place to start. If symptoms worsen or last longer than a week, you may need to consult your healthcare provider.

Attending a festival can be the highlight of the summer. Don’t dampen the rest of your summer with a cold or flu. Stay healthy and safe so that you can breathe well and sing at the top of your lungs.