A big increase in the number of people with flu has prompted hospital bosses to bring in new mask-wearing rules and health chiefs to urge people to get vaccinated.
University Hospitals Sussex, which runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, both in Brighton, said: “We are currently seeing a rise in flu cases across our hospitals.
“To protect both patients and staff, we are introducing immediate precautionary measures. All staff and visitors are asked to wear surgical face masks in the following areas
– Adult and paediatric emergency departments
– Emergency floors and admission departments
– Wards where flu cases have been confirmed
“You can help reduce the spread of flu and protect yourself by
– Getting your annual flu vaccine (if eligible)
– Practicing good hand hygiene
– Avoiding hospital visits if you are unwell unless you need urgent care
“Our services are extremely busy. Please rethink A&E and choose the right treatment option.
“A&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only. If you’re unsure what care you need, call NHS 111 for advice — they will guide you to the most appropriate service.
“Don’t delay seeking treatment if it’s urgent.”
NHS England said: “Thousands of patients across the south east are putting extra strain on busy emergency departments (ED) by attending with minor illnesses that could be treated more quickly elsewhere, according to new NHS data.
“More than a third (35 per cent) of people in the region admitted going to ED for a non‑emergency issue because they thought it would be quicker to get medical support.
“Over one in ten have visited ED for a sore throat (7 per cent), a common cold (6 per cent) or a urinary tract infection (10 per cent) – all of which can be treated by a community pharmacist.
“Nearly one in five (18 per cent) said they had previously been to ED for an issue that, in hindsight, could have been managed by another NHS service such as NHS 111, a GP, pharmacy or the NHS app.
“Meanwhile, almost half (39 per cent) of the public have had a winter bug this autumn/winter, with most (64 per cent) managing it at home, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) visiting a local pharmacy and others seeking advice online (19 per cent) or from family and friends (16 per cent).”
It might also help if all staff had the flu jab! The take-up I understand is not great which leave them and the patients etc at risk.
But that is their choice,it’s not compulsory
And if they infect others will they take the blame? No of cause not!
The flue jab doesn’t stop the spread of flu.
It deals with the symptoms.
Surely this isn’t news to you?!
Incorrect Mark. Fly jabs reduces the spread of flu. It doesn’t deal with symptoms, it enables the body to react to it by giving it effective a trial run. It appears you would benefit from learning about flu jabs from an reliable source.
I remember a few years back they had their most stubborn nurse go around the hospital specifically to pin down, sometimes literally, staff for their jabs.
Interestingly, this year saw a reduction in the eligibility of who could get a free flu jab, especially those working with vulnerable people no longer being eligible – I maintain this was a mistake, and if we’re seeing a higher number of flu cases, there’s a potential link we need to consider.
For what reason? Flu jabs deal with the symptoms, not the prevention of flu spreading. It’s a treatment, not a cure.
Please read this…
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/flu-vaccine/
I’m just wondering if, after the shenanigans and debacles of the Covid pandemic, we are all just becoming a little bit over reactive about flu viruses which spread naturally throughout the population and has done for centuries with people just getting on with life and dealing with it if it happens. I appreciate that Flu can be a bit debilitating but that is life and no amount of poking ourselves with vaccines will ever change that.
Not everyone can just deal with it and get on with life though can they? Flu kills thousands of people per year and hospitals are overrun every winter with flu patients. As an asthma sufferer I never used to bother with the flu jab either until the year I caught it and ended up in intensive care…
yes exactly! So lets just cut to the chase and lock down the country again. Who’s with me?
go ahead then,you will be in the minority then.
No because that’s daft and nobody ever suggested that.
For what reason? Flu jabs deal with the symptoms, not the prevention of flu spreading. It’s a treatment, not a cure.
Fly jabs also reduce viral shedding, reducing transmission.
Totally agree with you Jules.
Everyone knows when they feel run down and are about to catch something. All they need to do is slow down, look after themselves and take common sense measures to nip it in the bud or try not to get catch it full force. Just like our grandparents always did. My grandmother’s home remedies for colds and flu could probably have been sold for a lot of money as they were more effective than anything I see nowadays. Vit C, D and Zinc will also do the job. No need to waste precious NHS resources on the worried well when they could be helping sick people.
In your grandmother’s day people regularly died from causes they no longer die from. I’m sure they had it all worked out back then though.
If home remedies and “knowing when you’re run down” were enough, we wouldn’t have seen entire wards filled with children with diphtheria, polio, pneumonia or measles in the 50s.
Ever heard of the Spanish ‘flu epidemic? Believed to have killed more than the Great War.
Ever heard of the Spanish ‘flu epidemic? Believed to have killed more than the Great War.
More than believed. It did. And more recent research has shown that the death toll was probably even higher as it did not record the effects in places like India. Up to 100 Million is the current “worst” estimate.
Also it was called “Spanish” because of wartime censorship, with Spain being neutral. In all liklihood it started in Kansas and was introduced by US troops who were confined to troop ships on the way over.
As it turns out… this year’s flu jab does not help with the current “K” variant of the H3N2 flu virus. This is widely known in medical cricles as the current vaccine is based on what happened in the Southern Hemisphere last year – which did not have the K variant.
I had the vaccine as I do every year and a month later contracted the flu. I have paid for the vaccine for the last 25 years and this is the first time I have caught it. I will continue to have the vaccine as so far it has worked for me in 24 out of 25 years.
And even if you do catch it, your symptoms tend to be milder and are shorter in duration.
I wonder how much earlier this year’s flu season has developed as a result of more people living in cold houses?
In an attempt to keep my electricity bill down I challenged myself to not put on the heating in November, but we then had very cold weather and I soon realised my chilly flat was also getting damp. The humidity in my lounge was often up at 77% when in winter we should aim for humidity below 50%.
Once I saw that moisture/condensation was forming on my windows behind the curtains and blinds, I put on the heating for a few hours per day, plus I’ve ordered a dehumidifier.
I work outdoors a lot and most winters I don’t get ill, but this year I’ve already had the flu and the symptoms are not nice. I did have a flu jab back in early November, and the theory is that jab has stopped me feeling even worse.
Most of us will know some anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists who love all this stuff, and many are convinced the government is trying to kill us off. During the lockdowns one friend of mine was convinced Covid didn’t exist and then he got really ill and was hospitalised. Even now, he denies it was Covid.
My flu this time round started with headaches and then aching joints. My skin was also tender or sensitive to touch, especially around my head and stomach. You also feel exhausted and need to rest a lot – but that tiredness does come and go.
Lasts about a week or ten days. Over the counter flu remedies do help.