A prominent NHS doctor has issued a stark warning about a severe 'super flu' currently overwhelming hospitals, with cases reaching alarming levels and a major junior doctors' strike poised to exacerbate the crisis.
What Is The 'Super Flu' And Why Is It Hitting Hard Now?
Appearing on ITV's This Morning, GP and media medic Dr Nighat Arif explained the current outbreak. She identified the virus as H3N2, a subclade K, sometimes called 'K flu'. "It's basically a more virulent form of influenza A," Dr Arif stated.
While this strain appears annually, its impact this winter is significantly worse. Dr Arif attributed the severe surge to a combination of factors:
- Early Arrival: The virus peaked earlier than usual, partly due to weather patterns.
- Delayed Public Health Messaging: Advice on vaccination and self-isolation was circulated later than ideal.
- Low Public Preparedness: Many were caught off guard by the virus's timing and severity.
Official NHS data reveals the scale of the problem. In the week leading to Sunday, hospitals in England recorded an average of 2,660 new flu cases each day. Health officials equate this to three entire hospitals filled solely with flu patients.
Perfect Storm: Record Cases and Impending Strike Action
The NHS is facing immense pressure from this dual threat. The number of flu patients in hospital is at its highest level for this time of year since current records began in 2021.
This crisis is set to deepen with a five-day junior doctors' strike scheduled to begin on Wednesday, December 17. There are serious fears that this industrial action could push the health service towards a 'worst-case scenario', as cases continue to rise with no peak yet in sight. Some projections suggest daily hospital admissions could top 5,000 by the coming weekend.
How To Protect Yourself And Ease NHS Pressure
With NHS cases reportedly up by 50%, Dr Arif urged the public to take immediate, responsible action to curb the spread and protect the vulnerable. Her advice echoes key lessons from the pandemic:
"These viruses are airborne," she emphasised. The core protective measures include:
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water.
- Ensuring good ventilation in indoor spaces.
- Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue, which should be binned immediately.
- Wearing a face mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
- Most crucially, staying at home and self-isolating if you feel unwell, even if symptoms seem mild.
Dr Arif stressed that people often go out while infectious before symptoms appear or while recovering, which accelerates transmission. Taking personal responsibility is now critical to support an overstretched health service grappling with this severe flu wave.
