| Current Flu surge across the UK 08:12 - Dec 12 with 803 views | StokieBlue |
The dominant strain in the UK this year is H3N2 "subclade K", a slightly mutated version of H3N2 which is causing the highest number of people being treated in hospital in the first week of December on record [1].
It's putting a lot of strain on the NHS at the moment and will likely continue to rise over the next month. It's nothing like covid levels but it currently equates to 3 NHS trusts and cases increased 55% this week on last week. This is going to cause delays in scheduled operations and general fill up hospitals and covid and RSV are both still circulating and contributing to the problems.
Despite it being slightly mutated thus allowing it to evade a lot of existing immunity the good news is that the vaccine being used this year in the UK is effective against this strain of H3N2.
It's kicked up the old mask debate again with the head of the NHS and the government disagreeing but I suspect in a few weeks time they will be asking for masks to be worn if you're visiting hospital.
I've added a few links below [2] and [3] depending on your preferred source.
SB
[1]. 2660 people per day being treated in hospital, 106 in intensive care [3].
[2]. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crk7j8nxlr6o
[3]. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/11/nhs-bracing-for-worst-ever-winte |  | | |  |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:00 - Dec 12 with 590 views | Guthrum |
I was talking to a nurse yesterday. They've reintroduced mask and visor rules for staff - and have pretty much run out of beds to treat Flu cases. |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:04 - Dec 12 with 587 views | mellowblue |
I read that the vaccine is not a good shield to H3N2 but lessens the chances of severe attack.
Applies in my case, anyway. Had the jab but still caught it. 11 days in and still have muscle aches and weakness.
Re masks covid and flu. Covid was often symptom-frees or at least not debilitating so you could still get around with it. You get flu and you won't want to leave the house anyway so I doubt you will be wandering around a hospital with it. |  | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:19 - Dec 12 with 558 views | StokieBlue |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:04 - Dec 12 by mellowblue |
I read that the vaccine is not a good shield to H3N2 but lessens the chances of severe attack.
Applies in my case, anyway. Had the jab but still caught it. 11 days in and still have muscle aches and weakness.
Re masks covid and flu. Covid was often symptom-frees or at least not debilitating so you could still get around with it. You get flu and you won't want to leave the house anyway so I doubt you will be wandering around a hospital with it. |
There isn't a lot of data on the effectiveness of the vaccine past that it works on H3N2 so as you say it should provide protection against severe cases of the mutated version.
Some more information here:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/k-virus-flu-h3n2-sy
With regards to masks, flu can be contagious for about a day before symptoms start which whilst a lot less than covid is certainly enough time to allow it to spread.
SB | | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:27 - Dec 12 with 519 views | OldFart71 |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:00 - Dec 12 by Guthrum |
I was talking to a nurse yesterday. They've reintroduced mask and visor rules for staff - and have pretty much run out of beds to treat Flu cases. |
Apparently the UK has only around 2.4 beds per 1000 people whereas in Germany they have over 7. It is advised that if you have the current form of flue that you stay at home. But again the amount paid by companies in this country for being away sick although varying from one company to another can be very low as is SSP. | | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:34 - Dec 12 with 496 views | mellowblue |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:27 - Dec 12 by OldFart71 |
Apparently the UK has only around 2.4 beds per 1000 people whereas in Germany they have over 7. It is advised that if you have the current form of flue that you stay at home. But again the amount paid by companies in this country for being away sick although varying from one company to another can be very low as is SSP. |
SSP is ridiculously low now equates to about 3 quid an hour. Hence the pressure to keep on working. Whatever happened to 4 week p.a sick pay, where did that disappear to ? | | | |
| Plus the Doctors strike. (n/t) on 12:55 - Dec 12 with 428 views | Bloots |
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| "mostly smug self indulgent sixth formers” - TWTD User (Nov 2025) |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:05 - Dec 12 with 390 views | lowhouseblue |
why if you know that your role is going to bring you into contact with lots of flu patients who are infectious, and you know that the nhs depends on you being fit to work, would you not get vaccinated? only 1 in 8 vaccinated in some trusts. it makes no sense |  |
| And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:05 - Dec 12 with 391 views | StokieBlue |
Hadn't seen that.
Very worrying given these are the people who should be advising the use of the vaccine, especially since the flu vaccine is a well researched and long standing vaccine.
SB | | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:09 - Dec 12 with 376 views | Guthrum |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:34 - Dec 12 by mellowblue |
SSP is ridiculously low now equates to about 3 quid an hour. Hence the pressure to keep on working. Whatever happened to 4 week p.a sick pay, where did that disappear to ? |
Costs money and staff are expendable. Might impinge upon shareholder returns and executive remuneration. | |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:14 - Dec 12 with 347 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:05 - Dec 12 by StokieBlue |
Hadn't seen that.
Very worrying given these are the people who should be advising the use of the vaccine, especially since the flu vaccine is a well researched and long standing vaccine.
SB |
Last winter in England, there were 7,757 deaths from flu with 340,000 bed days taken up by flu patients. The vaccine is estimated to have prevented between 96,000 and 120,200 people from being hospitalised.
Yet the uptake of staff vaccination has declined steadily year on year – falling from 74% in 2019/20 to just 37.8% in 2024/25. |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:33 - Dec 12 with 287 views | Mullet |
I’ve just got over a case. Was bloody horrible. Felt a bit rough after Blackburn - got into bed Wednesday night. Wasn’t out of it until Monday really. Still don’t feel great now.
I watched our game Saturday on the sofa, but spent about 3 days not quite sure what time or day it was. |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:34 - Dec 12 with 283 views | Denny32 |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:14 - Dec 12 by Pinewoodblue |
Last winter in England, there were 7,757 deaths from flu with 340,000 bed days taken up by flu patients. The vaccine is estimated to have prevented between 96,000 and 120,200 people from being hospitalised.
Yet the uptake of staff vaccination has declined steadily year on year – falling from 74% in 2019/20 to just 37.8% in 2024/25. |
That's what they want you to believe about the vaccine..its actually worse.. | | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:36 - Dec 12 with 277 views | StokieBlue |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:34 - Dec 12 by Denny32 |
That's what they want you to believe about the vaccine..its actually worse.. |
Either provide some evidence (which I don't think you'll be able to do) or get off the thread and stop spreading misinformation.
Not the first time you've done this.
SB | | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:41 - Dec 12 with 244 views | DanTheMan |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:34 - Dec 12 by Denny32 |
That's what they want you to believe about the vaccine..its actually worse.. |
Who is "they"? |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:49 - Dec 12 with 221 views | Dubtractor |
Less about flu, but it seems like there is an absolute abundance of lower level colds and viruses about this winter.
I'm on my third illness since September at the moment, and we've seen loads of it at work too. |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:58 - Dec 12 with 206 views | giant_stow |
I'm not sure this is getting through - just went to the chemist for a jab and got one straight away (£25 - ouch!) with no waiting. Tbf, the guy doing it said its been a busy morning, but not exactly like the covid rush.
As Bloots mentions above, really hope the drs cancel that strike for their sake and ours. |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 14:03 - Dec 12 with 193 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:41 - Dec 12 by DanTheMan |
Who is "they"? |
The voices in his head. | |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 14:11 - Dec 12 with 148 views | DJR |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 13:41 - Dec 12 by DanTheMan |
Who is "they"? |
Speaking to my neighbour yesterday, he expressed the view the World Economic Forum was behind much of what is going on that he doesn't like. [Post edited 12 Dec 16:39]
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