Hospitals across England are on high alert as flu cases reach a record-breaking peak for this time of year, with a surprising symptom potentially appearing at the dinner table.
Record Hospitalisations and a Key Symptom
New data from NHS England reveals that 3,140 patients were in hospital with flu by the end of last week. This marks the highest number ever recorded for this period and represents an 18% increase from the previous week. Amidst this surge, health officials are highlighting an often-overlooked sign of the virus: a sudden loss of appetite.
According to official NHS guidance, influenza can cause appetite to diminish "very quickly," a change that might first be noticed during a meal. This symptom adds to the more commonly recognised signs of the viral infection, which targets the nose, throat, and lungs.
Full List of Flu Symptoms
The NHS states that flu symptoms often come on rapidly. In addition to a loss of appetite, people should be aware of the following:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat and headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Diarrhoea, tummy pain, or feeling sick
For children, symptoms can also include ear pain and appearing less active. While flu often improves on its own, the NHS stresses it can make some people seriously ill and emphasises the importance of the flu vaccine for eligible groups.
How to Recover and Prevent Spread
If you contract flu, the NHS advises several steps to aid recovery:
- Get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Keep warm.
- Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower temperature and ease aches.
- Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
Given that flu is highly infectious and most contagious in the first five days, preventing its spread is crucial. Key measures include:
- Washing hands frequently with warm water and soap.
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or using the crook of your elbow).
- Disposing of used tissues immediately.
The health service also recommends: "Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities."
Winter Virus Pressure on Hospitals
The update from NHS England, dated 22 December 2025, warns that hospitals are contending with industrial action and a continuous stream of winter viruses. Alongside the record flu numbers, cases of norovirus are also rising sharply.
An average of 427 patients were in hospital each day last week with the diarrhoea and vomiting bug, a rise of 20% from the week before. This combination of illnesses is putting significant strain on health services as the winter period continues.
