• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Reason why everyone in the UK is so ill right now

Home> News

Published 16:04 21 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Reason why everyone in the UK is so ill right now

Three major illnesses are making their rounds at the moment

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

It seems just about everyone right now has been hit with a lurgy doing its rounds at the moment.

People up and down the UK have been hit with a number of symptoms as of recent, and the bug doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

In fact, Brits now have three highly contagious illnesses circulating about; COVID, the flu, and the norovirus.

But what's the difference between the three illnesses that everyone seems to be affected by right now?

Advert

Why is everyone in the UK so ill at the mo? (SimpleImages/Getty Images)
Why is everyone in the UK so ill at the mo? (SimpleImages/Getty Images)

COVID-19

Now, coronavirus is very much so still going around, with the NHS stating that most people infected with it will experience 'mild to moderate respiratory illness' and recover without requiring special treatment.

Symptoms can include; a high temperature or shivering (chills), a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, and headaches.

Advert

"For most people, their condition generally improves within a few days or weeks after the onset of initial COVID-19 symptoms," the NHS adds.

However, for certain vulnerable people, COVID-19 can lead to a 'more severe illness' and their symptoms may persist for an extended duration.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, stated: "COVID-19 is continuing to circulate, with a slight increase in hospitalisations over the past two weeks."

COVID-19, influenza and the norovirus are making their rounds (Roos Koole/Getty Images)
COVID-19, influenza and the norovirus are making their rounds (Roos Koole/Getty Images)

Influenza

Now influenza, or the flu, can also be highly contagious.

Advert

Main symptoms of the common infectious viral illness include; a raised temperature, tiredness and general exhaustion, headaches, and general aches and pains.

Doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, rest at home ,and keep warm.

"As winter approaches, we expect flu and RSV to increasingly circulate too, so if you're eligible to get vaccinated against the three main winter threats – COVID-19, flu and RSV – now is the time to take them up and get winter strong," Dr Bernal added.

Experts have shared their advice when it comes to handling one of the three illnesses (svetikd / Getty Images)
Experts have shared their advice when it comes to handling one of the three illnesses (svetikd / Getty Images)

Norovirus

In an official monthly report which covered the two-week period between 23 September to 6 October this year, it was found that norovirus activity has 'remained high in recent weeks' and has also 'started to increase in recent weeks'.

Advert

Dubbed the 'winter vomiting disease', the norovirus is also highly contagious and can be spread very easily through water, food, air, and direct and indirect contact.

Symptoms include; vomiting, projectile vomiting, diarrhoea, and raised temperatures.

While there's no specific treatment for norovirus, those experiencing symptoms should likewise drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Boots' Superintendent pharmacist, Claire Nevinson, warned parents: "I always recommend encouraging your children to practice good personal hygiene, including regular hand washing with soap and warm water.

Advert

"This helps to remove dirt, viruses, and bacteria from hands and helps prevent a virus being transferred to surfaces, other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as a cold, flu or norovirus infection."

Featured Image Credit: SimpleImages/Getty Images/Roos Koole/Getty Images

Topics: UK News, News, Health, Weather, Life, NHS, Coronavirus

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
15 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Teenage camp counsellor details heartbreaking account of what she saw after devastating floods which killed at least 27

    Camp Mystic lost a total of 27 campers and counsellors in the deadly floods

    News
  • 15 hours ago

    Camp Mystic security guard issues emotional statement after using mattresses in heroic act to rescue girls from deadly floods

    In total, at least 82 people are confirmed to have lost their lives following the flash floods in Texas on Friday (4 July)

    News
  • 15 hours ago

    Meghan Markle fans spot ‘creepy’ detail in newly shared photos with her and Prince Harry

    The Duchess of Sussex shared a new Instagram post to celebrate the Fourth of July

    News
  • 16 hours ago

    Kate Middleton ignited major debate after breaking decades-old Wimbledon 'rule'

    Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle broke the exact same rule - but they received very different treatment for the fashion faux pas

    News
  • Doctor reveals real reason everyone in the UK feels so ill right now
  • Doctor explains weird reason why we're all sneezing so much at the moment
  • Why ‘Victorian diseases’ are on the rise as warning is issued over ‘unusually high’ rate of parasitic skin infections in the UK
  • Real reason you’re feeling so on edge right now and who is likely to be most affected