BBC Morning Live’s Dr Xand van Tulleken has delivered a serious warning to viewers, urging them to take action against four major illnesses this winter. The programme highlighted an alarming 350% rise in flu cases compared to last year, leading the doctor to strongly recommend those who haven’t yet had their flu jab to book it without delay, warning against the common error of skipping the vaccine and subsequently falling sick.
He pointed out that media reports about the “quad-demic” and the NHS being swamped with flu cases could act as timely reminders for people during the busy holiday season to take precautions to stay healthy. The term ‘quad-demic’ refers to the concurrent spread of flu, RSV, norovirus, and Covid-19.
Commenting on the headlines, he mentioned they are “actually quite useful because they should prompt everyone in the middle of the busy chaos of Christmas to go ‘hang on a minute I actually should avoid getting all these things’.”
“So you’ve got these four things going around, it’s a huge burden on the NHS. So there’s been a slightly lower normal than uptake of the flu vaccine and you only need a few more vulnerable people and a little less vaccine [uptake] and suddenly the opportunity for this virus spread [increases] and of course flu can be life-threatening”.
How can I tell the difference between the flu and cold?
Dr Xand has explained that the “cold will come on a little bit more slowly and typically a cold is upper respiratory tract. Perhaps you may have a very sore throat with a lot of snot and nasal congestion. But flu will drop you like a sack of bricks. Flu is a different experience. A cold you can keep functioning, it’s miserable, it’s no fun, but flu can be life-threatening.”, reports Gloucestershire Live.
“It can hospitalise you and cause major problems. It tends to come quickly and flu is what you call a whole systemic illness so it’s muscle pains, severe muscle soreness, weakness, exhaustion, being short of breath. Sometimes confusion and it can make many other health conditions worse. So the big distinction basically is flu, the really bad one”.
Dr Xand’s flu warning
When discussing what people need to consider regarding the flu, he mentions the risk of blood clots and DVT. If you are bedridden, you are also at risk of losing muscle mass.
He warns individuals to be aware of pneumonia, blood clots, loss of muscle and how the flu will affect their other health conditions, emphasising “that’s what you have to have in your head when you start to think about the flu”.
Do I need to get a flu jab?
Dr Xand advises that if you’ve been delaying it, it’s best to get it now. You can book your free NHS flu vaccination here.
Certain health conditions may also make you eligible to receive it free of charge under the NHS.
If flu can be deadly, how can I reduce my risk of it getting worse?
Dr Xand advises: “You can reduce your risk of hospitalisation substantially. The first thing is when you’re thinking about that pneumonia, you don’t want to be in bed and let your lungs shut down.”
He suggests that taking a deep breath in the morning can help. “Literally opening your chest alters your risk of getting a severe chest infection. It doesn’t reduce it to nothing, but it makes a big difference. The same thing with movement.”
By doing stretches, Doctor Xand says it will “keep your muscles active” and it will also “reduce your chance of getting a blood clot and DVT”.
Should I talk to my GP?
The health guru recommends that if you have “diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, liver disease or kidney problems, speak to your GP.”
You don’t need to see your GP in person he says as you don’t want to risk spreading your illness, however by calling them, they may want to keep an eye on you or tell you things to keep an eye on – “and sometimes you do need to go to hospital. But that’s a structure you want to have in your head. Move a bit, hydrate, feed yourself well and stay a little bit active”, Dr Xand stressed.
Is ‘feed a cold, starve fever’ true or a myth?
The GP suggests that traditional remedies like “chicken soup is a great medicine” are not always the best course of action. He finds this saying “one I’ve always found really annoying and strange because one of the symptom in another an infection. If you’ve got flu, you do not want to starve it. So ignore it [saying], nurse yourself well and eat healthy”, especially when dealing with an infection.
“one I’ve always found really annoying and strange because one of the symptom in another an infection. If you’ve got flu, you do not want to starve it. So ignore it [saying], nurse yourself well and eat healthy” he advises. Dr Xand ends on a crucial note: “I always think of my brother and I looking after our mum who was gradually getting poorly and we just missed the pneumonia. She was just deteriorating so if you’ve got a family member, or if you are coughing up blood, you are short of breath, if you’re having chest pain – then those things you need to call 999.”
He suggests a simple test: “You should close your eyes, think about them healthy, open them and look at the person who is ill. If they are grey or blue, they look like they are shutting down and struggling, “then there is a moment you have to call 999.”