A symptom that appears at the dinner table could mean you have the flu. NHS England is currently reporting record high levels of the illness in hospitals.

At this time of year, certain illnesses become common.The cooler temperatures and the fact we spend more time indoors with others means bugs can spread more easily.

This is the case for flu, a viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. However, it could also cause a symptom you might not expect.

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According to the NHS website, people with flu may experience a loss of appetite. This could come on “very quickly”.

The NHS says: “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 advised to.”

Other flu symptoms can include:

• A sudden high temperature


• An aching body


• Feeling tired or exhausted


• A dry cough


• A sore throat


• A headache


• Difficulty sleeping


• Diarrhoea or tummy pain


• Feeling sick and being sick

“The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active,” the NHS says. If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly.

These are:

• 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 (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

The NHS warns that flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You're “more likely” to give it to others in the first five days.

To reduce the risk of spreading flu:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap


• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand)


• Bin used tissues as quickly as possible

The NHS adds: “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.”

An update from NHS England warned that hospitals in England are “on high alert”, amid industrial action and a continuing stream of winter viruses. Flu cases in hospital reached 3,140 by the end of last week – the highest ever for this time of year and up 18 per cent on the week before.

While the number of patients in hospital with norovirus and the diarrhoea and vomiting bug is also on the rise, with 427 cases in hospital each day last week – up a fifth (20 per cent) on the week before.