'The sickest I've ever felt': Warning as 59 people admitted to hospital with flu in a week
In the last seven days, 59 people with the flu have been admitted to hospital 🏥
- Cases of the flu are continuing to rise.
- In the last seven days, 59 people have been admitted to hospital across Northern Ireland with the flu.
- A nurse from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has shared how it took five weeks to recover from the flu.
- Those eligible for the flu jab are being asked to come forward to protect themselves.
A health trust has shared how a nurse in their emergency department was left feeling “the sickest she has ever felt” after contracting the flu.
Cases are continuing to increase after an unusually early flu season. In the last seven days, 59 people with the flu have been admitted to hospitals across Northern Ireland.
Those who are eligible for the flu vaccine are being reminded to come forward for the jab, ahead of the Christmas period, which will see many of us mixing with family and friends.
Alongside a video on Facebook, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said: “A nurse in our Emergency Department is warning that the Flu left her feeling the sickest she has ever been in her life. 59 people were admitted to hospitals in NI with the flu in the past 7 days, and the numbers are rising. It took Sara Finley 5 weeks to recover. It’s a stark reminder that flu isn’t just a bad cold.”
The latest data from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) found that as of November 25, flu cases had increased with a weekly average rate of 11.6% compared with 10.7% in the previous week.
Speaking about what you can do to help prevent the spread of flu this winter, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Each of us can play our part in managing our own health and wellbeing this winter.
“Our health and social care services face even more pressure at this time of year, so any steps that we can take, no matter how small, can make a big difference in helping to protect ourselves against the effects of infections and seasonal viruses.”
Why has the flu season come early?
Cases of the flu have started earlier than usual this year. The cause is suspected to be the emergence of a new flu strain, H3N2, which evolved after this year’s flu vaccine was developed. It now accounts for the “majority” of flu infections in the UK.
Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine remains the best defence against flu for children and adults. Those eligible for a flu jab include people aged 65 and over, those in clinical risk groups, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, pregnant women and children, care home residents and carers, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff.
The flu season has started early. Find out how to book your flu vaccine at NI Direct.