Many of them will be plagued by runny noses, coughs and sore throats this winter. But it can be difficult to determine whether it is a cold or the flu.
Flu figures released this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that cases and hospital admissions have continued to rise.
More than 17 million flu vaccinations have been administered in Britain this year, but experts still fear flu outbreaks will continue to rise in the coming weeks as more people socialize indoors over Christmas and New Year.
Separate figures show that the vomiting virus norovirus – which can also cause diarrhea – has reached a ten-year high.
It comes as health leaders have already warned that the health service must brace for a ‘quad-demic’ caused by the four winter diseases – flu, Covid, norovirus and cold-like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
So what are the telltale signs of flu and norovirus? And how can you distinguish them from the common cold?
Here, MailOnline explains the difference between each disease and when to seek medical help.
Flu figures released this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that cases and hospital admissions have continued to rise
Cold
Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of colds, but these minor infections of the nose and throat can be due to any of more than 200 different viruses.
If symptoms are mostly limited to the upper respiratory tract, you probably have a cold.
Dr. Jamie Winn from Universal Drugstore said: ‘Colds and flu are two different viruses; common cold is rhinovirus while flu comes from influenza strains.
“Typically, the flu tends to be more severe, with more sudden symptoms, and can lead to more complications.”
He explained that colds usually cause cough, sore throat and nasal congestion, while flu can cause high fever, body aches and chills.
However, the overlap in symptoms between colds and flu, including sneezing and nasal congestion, can make clinical diagnoses difficult.
Dr. Winn explained that viruses that cause flu and colds thrive in low temperatures, meaning cases are more likely to increase in the winter months.
He said: ‘Studies show that viruses, especially flu, travel better in dry air, and colder temperatures mean drier air.
‘In addition to this temperature change, less sunlight means people get less vitamin D, which can help protect the immune system and protect against respiratory viruses.’
Graphic shows the common symptoms (green check mark), occasional and possible symptoms (orange circle) and the symptoms that never occur (red cross) for colds, flu and Covid
Another reason for the spread of flu in winter is that people spend more time indoors, where there is less ventilation.
He said: ‘With the festive season we also see an increase in travel, which can help with the spread of cold and flu viruses across the country.
‘People also tend to increase their alcohol consumption at this time of year, which can lower the immune system and make us more susceptible to contracting viruses.’
There is no cure for the common cold, but there are a few ways to ease the symptoms.
Getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, inhaling steam to soothe your stuffy nose, and drinking hot lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat are all simple ways to treat a cold.
Flu
The disease is caused by flu viruses and usually causes people to cough, which also occurs with the common cold.
But the symptoms of flu are usually much more intense than a cold and can even cause stomach problems.
It can be fatal in some cases if complications, such as pneumonia, occur among the most vulnerable.
Professor Ron Eccles, who led the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University before retiring in 2017, told MailOnline: ‘Flu typically causes chills, fever, headache, muscle aches and pains.
‘The flu feels worse because the symptoms affect the whole body and are not limited to the upper respiratory tract.’
He added: ‘Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are also more common in flu cases.’
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The latest UKHSA data shows that the number of flu cases is increasing. Just over one in five tests (21.7 percent) of Britons of all ages with coughs and colds carried out late last week came back positive for the flu virus.
Rates were highest among 5- to 14-year-olds at 39.8 percent, up from 30 percent the week before.
NHS data released this week also shows that the number of flu hospital admissions in England has already surpassed last year’s peak and is at its highest level yet this winter.
Figures show that more than 2,600 beds alone have been taken up by flu patients, an increase of almost 40 percent compared to last week (1,795).
Of these, 125 were in intensive care – a 90 percent increase on the previous seven days.
Dr. Winn explained that most people with the flu will be contagious three to four days after the onset of symptoms.
“To help prevent the spread, it is important to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands and using tissues, avoiding close contact with others if you have symptoms, and making sure the space you are in is well ventilated,” it added he added.
Since September, health officials have urged the millions of people in England who are eligible for their flu jab to come forward reduce their risk of becoming seriously ill and needing hospital care.
More than 17 million flu vaccinations have been administered in Britain this year, but experts still fear the flu outbreak will continue to accelerate in the coming weeks as more people socialize indoors over Christmas and New Year.
Dr. Winn said:Flu vaccinations are incredibly important, not only for yourself, but also for the protection of the community.
‘A regular flu shot prevents you from getting sick and can prevent further complications. It also has the benefit of keeping your immunity high against new strains.
‘Secondly, regular flu jabs also help protect more vulnerable members of your family and community and reduce pressure on healthcare systems.’
Just like when treating a cold, it is important to get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids.
You can also use over-the-counter medications.
Dr. Winn said: ‘Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with headaches, muscle aches and fever. Guaifenesin can loosen mucus to clear your airways.
‘Pseudoephedrine can help with a stuffy nose, while an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine can stop a runny nose. And if you have a cough, look for products with dextromethorphan.”
But he warns that you should monitor your symptoms to make sure you don’t have something more serious.
“For the flu or cold, consider seeing a doctor if your symptoms last more than a week or if you have a fever, difficulty breathing, or other signs of infection,” he explains.
Rates of the fallow bug, which can also cause diarrhoea, are also more than double pre-Covid levels at this time of year, new figures show.
Norovirus
According to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the total number of norovirus reports this year (4,523) was also more than double what it was five years ago (2,057).
Between November 25 and December 8, there were 782 confirmed cases of the bug.
It marks an increase of a fifth on the 649 reported in the previous two weeks and is almost double that of five years ago (400).
Since the start of the 2024/2025 season, the number of reported norovirus outbreaks in hospitals is also 24 percent higher than the five-year average.
However, the actual number of cases across the country could be even higher.
This is because the figures are based on positive laboratory reports and NHS hospitals reporting suspected and confirmed outbreaks of norovirus.
Most infected suffer from nausea, diarrhea and vomiting and recover at home.
But norovirus could increase pressure on hospitals, as infected patients must be isolated in single rooms or wards closed to new patients to limit the spread.
The majority of people do not need to talk to a doctor about a norovirus infection.
In most cases it goes away on its own.
Rest and drinking plenty of fluids are often recommended by health heads to help recovery. Paracetamol can also help with fever or aches and pains.
Rehydration drinks, such as Dioralyte, which replace both crucial salts and water, can be purchased from a pharmacist.
Parents are advised not to give soft drinks or fruit juice to children with norovirus, as this can worsen the diarrhea.
Many patients also ask doctors for antibiotics, but these do not work against viruses.
However, patients with particularly severe projectile vomiting and diarrhea can be prescribed anti-illness medication by their GP.