People across the UK are reporting a wave of summer illnesses, with many taking to social media to complain of coughs, sniffles, sore throats and headaches, and wondering how they can fall ill during a heatwave. Concerns are rising over a possible summer surge of Covid-19, especially after reports from the US suggest the virus is hitting harder in the heat this year.
Search interest spikes
Google Trends has reported that “can you get the flu in summer?” is a ‘breakout’ term, signifying a growth of over 5,000% in search interest over the past week. The NHS is under pressure this summer with high attendances in A&E, likely caused by the weather, which has worsened existing conditions.
During the May and June 2026 heat events, the UK Health Security Agency reported an estimated total of 2,877 heat-associated deaths – already near the highest levels ever recorded for a whole year. Respiratory conditions are known to be worsened by the heat, and heatwaves can also increase exposure as people stay indoors or use air conditioning, which may help spread infections.
US reports higher summer peak
In California and across America, reports suggest the summer peak of Covid-19 is now higher than the winter peak. Dr. Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health, said: “Anyone who hasn’t received a 2025-26 dose, or is due for the second dose, is encouraged to get vaccinated now, before the next COVID-19 surge.”
Pan told The Times: “Disease is on the rise in California, where we’re seeing increasing cases, increasing test positivity, increasing in our wastewater. This is a good time, actually, to protect yourselves or your family, because we anticipate, based on the last couple of years at least, that this may be the larger peak than the winter.”
Social media reactions
On social media, people complained about the cold surge. One said: ”I have that ‘summer flu’ that everybody’s going on about and I can confirm that it’s definitely Covid.” Another added: “how does someone get nasopharyngitis in the summer? how is this even possible!! i’m dying from the heat and now i have to deal with this inflammation and the flu?”
One speculated: “I’m suspecting we’re in the midst of a summer surge. A suspicious number of colleagues had headaches that went on for days. I’m getting over a ear infection and a relative has shingles.” Frosty said: “I’m sick of having the flu in the middle of summer lol.” River added: “Currently under the weather and praying I don’t have the flu …. Summer sickness is the absolute worst! Have a good night folks it’s cold meds and sleep for me.”
A Londoner posted: “Me and all my friends have gotten individually ill in the last week. Seems there is some gross summer cold travelling around at the moment. Haven’t left the house since last weekend, and seems my cold is just getting worse by each day! Feeling very sorry for myself, the heat is not helping, both in the sense of it’s too hot to be ill, and can’t go out in the cool mornings.” Another added: “My team at work has had it this week, passed on at an event we attended.” Another person said: “Yes!!! Took out my entire family for a week!”
Expert advice
Dr Dominic Greenyer, a private doctor at the Health Suite, said: “Throughout the year, there are multiple viruses that come and go, and often, there can be clusters. So certain viruses may cause a cluster of cases, which we may be seeing at the moment in London. COVID is one of many viruses that circulate through the natural population every year.”
He added: “With these viruses, you can’t tell initially what it is because there’s a lot of crossover with symptoms. Most viruses cause symptoms such as muscle aches, high temperatures, and fever; these are just symptoms of feeling unwell. It’s hard to pin down a particular virus without getting tested but as most patients get better with no treatment, they don’t get tested. It’s usually only the patients who are very unwell and are admitted to the hospital who get tested.”
Dr Greenyer noted: “In 2020, we had a particularly severe strain that obviously caused a lot of health problems across the nation. However, is there something specific we should worry about with summer colds? No, not specifically. It could be viruses like COVID, among other things. General medical advice would be good self-care, get plenty of rest, fluids, a balanced diet, because all these things help the body to heal, regardless of what the cause is.”
He also noted that most people tend to get better within 10-14 days and require ‘no intervention from medical services’. A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies.
NHS winter preparations
The NHS is urging millions of people to book their flu jab from today as the health service starts winter preparations earlier than ever. From today (August 17), the national booking system is open so eligible people, including pregnant women and children, can pre-book their flu vaccinations when vaccinations start on 1 September.
The NHS said it wants to do everything it can to ease winter demand after back-to-back heatwaves have seen staff treat record numbers this summer. A&E attendances hit a record 2.5 million attendances in July – and staff experienced the 3 busiest months ever recorded between May and July in emergency departments. Despite the record pressure, more patients were seen, treated or discharged within 4 hours than in June, with performance improving to 75.4%.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so the NHS is starting vaccinations in autumn to ensure those at risk are protected and fewer people are hospitalised.
