Britons urged to ‘stay home and mask up’ in new warning as infections spread

Britons are being warned to stay at home or mask-up as a wave of colds flood the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the urgent alert on Thursday saying illnesses like and the flu were on the rise and spread easily.

The agency said , RSV and the less familiar hMPV, as well as the common cold, were causing Brits to fall ill across the country.

In a post on X on Thursday morning, the UKHSA said: “During winter, lots of illnesses like #Norovirus and #Flu spread easily. If you’re unwell, there are actions you can take to reduce the risk of spreading infections to others.”

The post included information on how to spot the signs and symptoms of the bug and said though viruses are present throughout the year, they reach “high levels” of circulation in the wintiner. They warned: “Staying at home when you have symptoms of flu or -19 helps protect those who are vulnerable.

“If you need to go out when unwell, consider wearing a mask around other people.” Simple measures like catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, regular handwashing and opening a window when meeting others indoors can help reduce the spread of infections.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a major respiratory virus that is common over the winter period and can spread through coughs and sneezes. The virus is typically rife between November and Ferbuary.

Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tiredness and fever. Though symptoms can be mild for many, RSV can lead to bronchiolitis in infants making it difficult for them to breathe and eat.

According to UKHSA, this accounts for approximately 20,000 hospitalisations annually in children aged under 1. In adults, RSV can cause pneumonia and flare-ups of existing lung disease or other long-term conditions. It is known to cause around 9,000 hospitalisation in those aged 75 and over in the UK every year.

A NHS vaccine is avilable for pregnant women and those aged between 75 and 79. It hasn’t been recommended for those 80 or older because there were too few people of that age in the clinical trials to be sure of protection.

In pregnant women, the vaccine can also reduce the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70per cent in the first six months of a baby’s life, according to the UKHSA.

Flu

The flu is a viral infection impacting the nose, throat and lungs and typically circulates during the winter months. It is far worse than an ordinary cold and can cause runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation.

The flu can lead to serious illness in children with more than 8,000 hospitalisations last winter. Older people and those with a weakened immune system are also at higher risk. There is a NHS vaccine available and it helps reduce hospitalisation rates for those aged 65 and over by 30pc and by 54pc in under 18s.

-19

Though not as severe as during the early years of the pandemic, -19 and its many variants can still cause severe illness and even death. The elderly and those with a compromised immune system are particular at risk of becoming severly ill.

symptoms have changed over time and now many people experience cold-like symptoms. They can also experience fever or chills, continous coughing, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headaches as well as nausea and diarrhoea.

Norovirus and Rhinovirus (also known as the ‘common cold’)

Norovirus, also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’, is a viral stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It is unpleasant and usually lasts two days. According to UKHSA, this season the NHS is experiencing the highest number of norovirus cases since the current reporting system began.

Symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, a high temperature as well as a headache and aching arms and legs. Symptoms start suddenly within one to two days. It is important to rest and take in a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Rhinovirus symptoms typically take two to three days be surface. This usually includes runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a hoarse voice, a cough, as well as feeling tired and unwell. It’s not uncommon to get a high temperature and have aching muscles or a loss of taste and smell.

In younger kids, the cold can last longer and disrupt sleep and feeding routines.

Adenovirus, parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus (hMPV)

These three viruses cause a wide range of symptoms that are similar to the common cold. Parainfluenza virsuses often cause respiratory infections in infants, young children and older adults as well as in vulnerable adults. Adenoviruses and hMPV are typically entail mild, cold-like symtpoms.