'Winter Is Coming': Warning From Health Experts As Flu Season Strikes Early

NHS staff are seeing “ominous” signs of winter pressure already building, with more patients heading to A&E with flu.

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

Following reports that parts of the United States is seeing an early start to flu season, the UK is seeing the same pattern.

The NHS said it just witnessed its “busiest September ever” for patients attending A&E (2.44 million visits).

NHS England’s national medical director, Professor Frankie Swords, has warned that staff are seeing “ominous” signs of winter pressure already building and suggested more patients are heading to A&E with flu and other respiratory viruses than usual for this time of year.

Flu typically circulates later in the year, peaking in December, but data shows it’s been doing the rounds in the UK since mid-August.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), flu activity throughout September was higher than in the same period........

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