As flu hospitalisations in England surge by more than half in a week and NHS leaders warn of a “worst case scenario” winter, health authorities are urging people with mild or moderate “super flu” symptoms to recover safely at home, while seeking urgent help if their condition becomes serious.

NHS England figures released in mid-December report an average of 2,660 patients per day in hospital with flu – the highest ever for this point in the season and 55% up on the previous week [NHS England]. At the same time, norovirus cases and record demand for A&E and ambulance services are stretching capacity, while resident doctors are due to strike from 17–22 December.


NHS England under strain from ‘super flu’ surge

NHS England has described the current situation as a “worst case scenario” for December, with flu, norovirus and high winter demand combining with industrial action. The term “super flu” is being used informally in media and public statements to describe unusually high rates of serious flu infection, not a new virus.

The latest NHS winter data show:

  • Average of 2,660 patients a day in hospital with flu, up 55% week-on-week.
  • Average 354 patients a day with norovirus, up 35%.
  • Record November A&E attendances at 2.35 million, about 30,000 higher than November 2024.
  • Ambulance incidents at 802,525 in November, up 48,814 on the previous year.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said staff were “being pushed to the limit” and that “the peak is not in sight yet,” urging eligible people to get vaccinated within “just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day,” according to an NHS England statement.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting described “a tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals” and highlighted more than 17.4 million flu vaccinations delivered so far, including tens of thousands of additional frontline staff vaccinations, alongside efforts to recruit more GPs and modernise appointment systems.

Hospital corridor in England with medical trolleys and equipment prepared for winter pressures
Hospital trusts across England report record numbers of flu admissions as winter pressures mount. Image: Unsplash (CC0).

What is ‘super flu’ and what symptoms should people expect?

Public health experts note that “super flu” is not an official medical diagnosis. In England, the dominant concern is seasonal influenza causing more severe illness and higher hospitalisations than in many recent winters, especially among older people, pregnant women, and those with long-term conditions.

According to NHS guidance on flu symptoms, common signs include:

  • Sudden high temperature (38°C or above).
  • Body aches and pains and feeling exhausted.
  • Dry cough and sore throat.
  • Headache and difficulty sleeping.
  • Loss of appetite, sometimes with nausea or diarrhoea.

Most people with flu can manage their illness at home and recover within about a week, though tiredness and cough can last longer. However, this winter’s high level of circulation means more vulnerable people are becoming seriously unwell and requiring hospital care.


How to recover from severe flu at home in England

NHS England and UK health charities advise that people with mild or moderate flu symptoms who are otherwise well should stay at home, rest and focus on symptom relief, to recover safely and help reduce pressure on hospitals.

1. Rest and stay hydrated

The NHS recommends plenty of rest and drinking fluids regularly to avoid dehydration. Water, diluted squash and clear soups are typically encouraged. People are advised to avoid alcohol and to be cautious with caffeinated drinks, which can worsen dehydration.

2. Use over-the-counter medicines safely

Pharmacy medicines can help with temperature, aches and congestion. NHS information highlights:

  • Paracetamol or ibuprofen can reduce fever and relieve pain, if suitable for the individual.
  • Decongestant sprays or tablets may ease a blocked nose for short-term use.
  • Throat lozenges and simple cough remedies may provide some comfort.

Anyone with long-term health conditions, those who are pregnant, or people taking other medications are advised to check with a pharmacist or GP before starting new medicines. The NHS cautions against giving aspirin to children under 16 with viral illnesses.

3. Reduce spread within the household

To lower the risk of passing super flu to others, especially older adults or those with health conditions, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS suggest:

  • Staying at home and avoiding contact with others while unwell.
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the elbow and disposing of tissues promptly.
  • Washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser.
  • Cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and mobile phones.
  • Keeping rooms ventilated by opening windows where safe and practical.

4. Nutrition and gentle activity

Dietitians and GPs commonly recommend small, frequent meals, including soups, soft foods and foods rich in protein and vitamins, to support recovery. Gentle movement around the home can help circulation, but people are generally advised not to push through exhaustion, particularly while feverish.

Flu patients who are otherwise well are encouraged to manage symptoms at home with rest, fluids and pharmacy medicines. Image: Unsplash (CC0).

When to use NHS 111, your GP, 999 or A&E

While most people can treat flu at home, health services stress that some symptoms require fast medical assessment. During the current surge and resident doctors’ industrial action, NHS England is emphasising the use of NHS 111 online as the “first port of call” for urgent but not life-threatening problems.

Use NHS 111 online or call 111 if:

  • You feel very unwell or your symptoms are not improving after a week.
  • You have a long-term condition such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease and develop flu symptoms.
  • You are pregnant, over 65, or caring for someone in a vulnerable group who has flu.
  • You are worried about a baby or young child with high fever, poor feeding or unusual drowsiness.

Call 999 or go to A&E for emergency care if you:

  • Feel short of breath or are breathing very fast or struggling to breathe.
  • Experience chest pain or pressure, or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
  • Have lips, tongue or face turning blue or becoming very pale and clammy.
  • Feel confused, difficult to rouse, or suddenly very drowsy.
  • Notice your child is floppy, unresponsive or has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it.

NHS England has reiterated that “patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal,” even during strike days, and that people should still attend routine appointments unless contacted to reschedule.


Balancing home care with protecting an overstretched NHS

As the “super flu” surge coincides with industrial action, health leaders, unions and patient advocates are offering differing perspectives on how best to ease pressures without compromising patient safety.

NHS leadership viewpoint

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care emphasise vaccination, appropriate use of services and community care. Professor Meghana Pandit has pointed to “a range of ways to get the help [people] need and avoid needing to go to A&E,” including NHS 111, GP services, pharmacies and urgent treatment centres.

Resident doctors and staff concerns

Resident doctors’ representatives, including the British Medical Association (BMA), argue that long-standing workforce shortages and funding pressures have left services vulnerable to crises such as the current flu wave. They say industrial action is aimed at addressing pay and staffing, which they view as essential to ensuring safe care in the long term.

The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has said his offer to the BMA “would help solve the jobs problem resident doctors are facing, and bring an end to strike action this Christmas,” and urged doctors “not to inflict further damage on the NHS.”

Patient safety advocates

Patient groups generally support clear public messaging on when to stay at home and when to seek care, warning that fear of overburdening the NHS should not deter people from presenting with serious symptoms. Charities such as the British Heart Foundation and Asthma + Lung UK continue to advise high-risk patients to seek prompt advice if they develop flu-like illness.


Preventing super flu: vaccination and everyday precautions

NHS England is urging everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine to come forward as soon as possible. As of mid-December, more than 17.4 million people have received the jab, including over 60,000 additional frontline healthcare workers compared with a similar point last year, according to NHS data.

In England, people typically eligible for the free flu vaccine include:

  • Adults aged 65 and over.
  • People with certain long-term health conditions.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Some carers and close contacts of immunocompromised people.
  • Children in specified age groups, often through school programmes.

The NHS states that vaccination remains the most effective protection against severe flu. Routine measures such as handwashing, covering coughs and staying home when unwell continue to be recommended, both to protect vulnerable individuals and to reduce demand on hospitals already coping with record admissions.

NHS England is urging eligible people to get their flu vaccination to reduce serious illness and relieve pressure on hospitals. Image: Unsplash (CC0).


Looking ahead: managing winter flu at home and in hospitals

With no clear sign of a peak in flu hospitalisations, NHS England expects an “extremely challenging few weeks ahead”. Officials stress that while hospitals focus on those most seriously ill, the public can play a role by recovering from mild super flu at home, using NHS 111 for urgent advice, and ensuring vaccinations are up to date.

Health leaders, doctors and patient groups broadly agree that early vaccination, clear information on self-care, and prompt escalation for severe symptoms are central to limiting the impact of this winter’s super flu surge on both individuals and the wider health system in England.