Seasonal flu signs and symptoms to look out for amid surge in cases across Northern Ireland

5 months ago 326

Northern Ireland's health service continues to experience “severe pressure” due to an earlier start to the annual flu season and high numbers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases.

According to the Public Health Agency (PHA), almost 1,000 new cases of influenza were diagnosed here in the week between Christmas and New Year.

This surge has resulted in significant disruption to emergency care services across NI with all emergency departments (EDs) experiencing lengthy waits over the last week.

In its latest respiratory surveillance report from January 2, the PHA says that during week 52 (December 23-29), influenza, RSV and Covid-19 activity decreased across the majority of surveillance indicators.

But the PHA warned that these changes in surveillance indicators should be interpreted with caution in light of changes in social mixing behaviour over the Christmas period (including schools and many workplaces being closed), and changes in healthcare service use during this time.

The number of new influenza episodes decreased in week 52, with 923 unique episodes identified, down from 1,125 episodes reported in week 51. The number of new RSV episodes also decreased with 142 unique episodes identified, down from 183 episodes the previous week.

The highest influenza and RSV episode rates were in the 0-4 age group. Ards and North Down had the highest influenza episode rate in week 52 while Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon had the highest RSV episode rate.

The number of new COVID-19 episodes decreased in week 52, with 51 episodes identified compared to 72 the previous week. The highest COVID-19 episode rate in week 52 was in Mid and East Antrim and in the 75+ age group.

"Community acquired emergency influenza inpatients continued to increase while RSV and COVID-19 inpatients has remained stable," the PHA added.

Ahead of the New Year, the Department of Health issued an apology to patients who are “waiting longer than they have to” for treatment.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the number of flu cases is a “significant contributory factor”. The department said priority will always be given to cases that are immediately life-threatening.

What is seasonal influenza (flu)?

Influenza or 'flu' is a respiratory illness associated with infection by influenza virus. Symptoms frequently include headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints.

Influenza occurs most often in winter and usually peaks between December and March in the northern hemisphere. There are two main types that cause infection: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A usually causes a more severe illness. The influenza virus is unstable and new strains and variants are constantly emerging, which is one of the reasons why the flu vaccine should be given each year.

For most people, influenza infection is just a nasty experience, but for some it can lead to more serious illnesses.

Those defined as ‘at risk’ include:

pregnant women in all stages/ any trimester of pregnancy anyone aged 50 and over on 31 March 2024, even if you feel fit and healthy children and adults who have any of the following medical conditions: a chronic chest condition such as asthma a chronic heart condition chronic liver disease chronic kidney disease diabetes lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy (people living in the same house as someone with lowered immunity may also need to be vaccinated) a chronic neurological condition such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or a condition that affects your nervous system, such as cerebral palsy, or hereditary and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system or muscles any other serious medical condition - check with your doctor if you are unsure children who have previously been admitted to hospital with a chest infection children attending schools for children with severe learning difficulties anyone living in a residential or nursing home main carers for older or disabled people

People defined as being ‘at risk’ are eligible and encouraged to receive the flu vaccination free of charge on the NHS through their local GP practice, except ‘at risk’ children in primary school and in Year 8 of secondary school, who will be offered the vaccine through school. The flu vaccination is being offered to all children aged 2-4 years old and school children (Years 1-8), as they may pass flu onto people ‘at risk’.

The most common complications of influenza are bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. These illnesses may require treatment in hospital and can be life threatening, especially in the elderly, asthmatics and those in poor health. It’s estimated that 8,000 people die every year in the UK due to influenza, although this number can be higher in a bad season.

What are the symptoms of flu?

The symptoms of flu include:

fever (typically 38 to 40°C) - this tends to be more severe in children fatigue/ unusual tiredness headache runny nose sore throat shortness of breath or a cough loss of appetite aching muscles vomiting or diarrhoea sensitivity to light insomnia dry, unproductive cough

Flu symptoms usually peak after two or three days. You should begin to feel much better within five to eight days.

How do I tell the difference between cold and flu symptoms?

Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.

Cold symptoms:

appear gradually affects mainly your nose and throat makes you feel unwell, but you're OK to carry on as normal (for example, go to work)

Flu symptoms:

appear quickly within a few hours affect more than just your nose and throat makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal

What do I do if I have the flu?

For most people, flu is a mild illness that can be treated at home with rest, drinking plenty of fluids and taking medicine, such as paracetamol, as directed to control the symptoms.

If you have a high temperature and difficulty breathing, if your symptoms are getting worse over time, or you haven't improved after a week, you should contact your GP or the GP out of hours service.

You should not go to an emergency department unless it is urgent and essential.

When should I see my GP?

Consider visiting your GP if:

you're 65 years of age or over you're pregnant you have a long-term medical condition – such as diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease you have a weakened immune system – for example, because you're having chemotherapy or have HIV you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or start coughing up blood your symptoms are getting worse over time, or haven't improved after a week

In these situations, you may need medication to treat or prevent complications of flu. Your doctor may recommend taking antiviral medicine to reduce your symptoms and help you recover more quickly.

How is the flu spread?

The flu virus is spread in the small droplets of saliva coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. If you inhale these droplets, you may become infected.

Flu can also spread if someone infected with the virus touches:

common surfaces such as door handles with unwashed hands the hand of someone else without washing their hands first