Warning issued as 'tidal wave' of serious illness sweeps across UK weeks before Christmas
Brits are being wiped out left, right and centre by a dreaded 'tidal wave' of winter ailments.
Well, not 'wiped out' as in killed - but being left bed-bound, off work and feeling extremely sorry for themselves.
It's hardly a surprise anymore when the NHS issues its annual warning about taking extra precautions during the colder months of the year.
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After all, with icy weather and cold winds slowing down people's access to both medics and treatment, and with hospital staff numbers always dropping drastically around this time of year, self-protection is key.
This is especially the case during the annual build-up to Christmas, being that vast quantities of people are often forced indoors together, where warmer, close-knit environments serve as hotbeds for bacteria to spread.
This year, however, UK medics and GPs are alerting Brits to another monster altogether, which they say its actually a murderous combination of four common types of winter illness.
Also dubbed a 'quad-demic' this frightening wave as triggered a 70 per cent rise in hospital cases in England in just one single week, the NHS has told press this week.
And an average of 1,861 patients with the one of the four illnesses in question were in hospital every day last week - a drastic rise from 1,099 the previous week and 402 this time in 2023.
The UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) describe the four horsemen of the 2024 festive season as Covid-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus (the 'vomiting bug').
According to statistic released by the health body, the latter three conditions have triggered a colossal spike in numbers in the last week alone.
And earlier this year, the NHS previously declaring that most people infected with Coronavirus will experience 'mild to moderate respiratory illness' as Christmas approaches.
"[These are] four very common viral illnesses that circulate every winter in different peaks," NHS GP Dr Alexander Allen explained to Sky News.
"This is peak time so even if you are fit and healthy, your chances of catching all of these illnesses if quite high."
He added: "Flu is the cause of the rise in winter illnesses that we’ve seen in the past week, with emergency department attendances also increasing."
Asked how best to combat these conditions, he said vaccinations are key - particularly in the cases Covid-19 and the flu.
Members of the over 65 community, as well as anyone with a health condition that makes them 'vulnerable', care home residents and front-line workers, can book in to receive a Covid-19 booster jab.
Even if you've not been contacted by the NHS, you can book your own appointment via the NHS app, GPs, pharmacies, or by calling 119.
When it comes to the flu vaccine, it is also free for every group previously mentioned, but also extends to pregnant women, carers for older or disabled people, and those living with people who have a weakened immune system.
Appointments for flu jabs can also be booked at a pharmacy, online or by using the NHS app.
RVS vaccines are particularly recommended this time of year for pregnant people, with the NHS claiming they can help protect babies after they're born.
Mothers-to-be will be contacted around 28 weeks into their term to receive the vaccine, which isn't recommended after this point.
Your maternity service or local GP should be able to offer the jab - which is also recommended for people aged between 75 to 79.
Sadly, there is no vaccine for norovirus.
Being that it is extremely contagious, however, the NHS says that anyone with symptoms should avoid contact with others for at least 48 hours.
Rhianna Benson