The NHS has issued an urgent UK-wide 'stay at home' alert as winter viruses, including the H3N2 strain, are spreading rapidly across the UK. In a recent X post, the health service also urged people to 'cover your nose and mouth' and to 'avoid contact with other people'.

Flu season has arrived sooner and is more intense this year. In the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) weekly report, it says influenza activity has increased and is now circulating at medium levels. It adds that emergency department (ED) attendances for influenza-like-illness (ILI) increased.

"The number of influenza-confirmed acute respiratory infection (ARI) incidents increased," it continued. "Of influenza viruses subtyped at the UKHSA Respiratory Virus Unit, the majority were A(H3N2)."

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The H3N2 strain is currently the most dominant flu strain circulating in the UK during the 2025/2026 flu season. According to the UKHSA, a specific subtype of H3N2, known as subclade K, is responsible for the majority of recent cases, placing a significant strain on health services.

Besides using a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, wearing a face mask can help significantly stop the flu and other respiratory viruses from spreading. They do this by blocking infectious droplets, which protects both the person wearing the mask and others around them, especially if someone is sick or in crowded places like hospitals.

Masks serve as a barrier that keep germs from moving through the air when you cough, sneeze, or talk. This makes them a valuable tool for maintaining everyone's health during flu season, according to guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

On X, the NHS said this morning (December 8): "If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly. Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're eligible."

"If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly." It goes on the list all the best ways to look after yourself, including: "Rest and sleep, keep warm, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration."

In a UK-wide "reduce the spread" alert, the NHS also said: "Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze." Another point made was to wash your hands with warm water and soap.

Its last plea reads: "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." At the end of the post, the NHS said: "A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies. If you're worried about your symptoms, or you're not getting better, call 111 or get help from 111 online."

Flu symptoms typically develop rapidly, and the most common ones are listed below. The symptoms are similar for children, but they may also experience ear pain and appear less active.

• a sudden high temperature


• an aching body


• feeling tired or exhausted


• a dry cough


• a sore throat


• a headache


• difficulty sleeping


• loss of appetite


• diarrhoea or tummy pain


• feeling sick and being sick

On the NHS website, it says: "Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first five days. Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours."