UK Doctor warns Against Christmas Flu & Cold Outbreak

A leading doctor has warned that keeping flu and Covid-19 under control this Christmas will depend on early detection and testing.

Dr Raeen Farrokhnik said knowing when to test, treat, and isolate can make all the difference as winter brings a surge of respiratory infections.

He added it is crucial to distinguish between strep throat, Covid-19, and flu to prevent rapid spread, particularly after the Strep A outbreak in 2022-2023, which led to 516 deaths in the UK, including 61 children.

Figures show colds and flu are on the rise, especially among those aged between 15 and 25. Covid-19 cases are also increasing.

Speaking at the newly opened London Urgent Care Centre at Chase Lodge Hospital in Mill Hill, Dr Farrokhnik said:

“It’s easy to confuse flu, Covid-19, and strep throat – illnesses that share many symptoms but require very different treatments.

“Understanding how they spread, how to tell them apart, and when to seek early treatment can make all the difference in preventing complications and reducing community transmission.”

Influenza is caused by influenza A or B viruses and usually strikes suddenly with high fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and a dry cough.

Covid-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can appear gradually, often with cough, fatigue, fever, and in some cases, a temporary loss of taste or smell.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection and typically presents with a sudden, severe sore throat, high fever, difficulty swallowing, and tender neck glands, often without a cough.

The London Urgent Care Centre, one of the few in the UK treating both adults and children, offers rapid, walk-in care for £99, avoiding long waits at A&E.

Dr Farrokhnik said: “These infections spread mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

“We can do a five-minute test for Strep A and Influenza as opposed to waiting several days for results from the GP, which can often delay diagnosis and treatment.

“Good ventilation, regular handwashing, and staying home when unwell remain the best ways to reduce transmission.

“Vaccination plays a vital role in preventing serious illness – annual flu vaccines and updated Covid-19 boosters are strongly recommended for eligible groups.

“There is no vaccine for strep throat, but prompt treatment helps stop its spread.

“At the London Urgent Care Centre, rapid point-of-care tests are transforming how these infections are diagnosed and managed.”

Rapid throat swabs and nasal tests can detect influenza, Covid-19, or Group A strep within minutes, while CRP (C-reactive protein) testing helps distinguish between viral and bacterial infections.

This allows clinicians to start the right treatment immediately, avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and provide tailored return-to-work or school advice.

For flu, antivirals such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) work best within 48 hours of symptom onset, shortening illness and reducing spread.

Covid-19 antivirals, including Paxlovid, are reserved for high-risk patients and should be started early, ideally within five days.

For strep throat, antibiotics such as penicillin remain standard, and patients are no longer contagious 24 hours after starting treatment, allowing children to return to school the next day.

Dr Farrokhnik added: “Early recognition and testing are key.

“While these illnesses share overlapping symptoms, using rapid diagnostic tools ensures targeted, effective treatment that protects both individual patients and the wider community.

“This winter, knowing when to test, treat, and isolate can make all the difference – helping us stay healthier and keep our schools, workplaces, and families safe.”