"There is often, although not always, a pattern."
With the weather slowly getting colder, the chances of falling ill will increase.
But right now, colds and coughs are rampant across the UK, with many describing this season’s bug as especially unpleasant.
So, what is going on?
Professor Jonathan Ball, of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said:
“This is normal, it’s autumn after all.”
He explains that a mix of factors – children returning to school, adults back at work, and cooler weather driving people indoors – creates the ideal environment for respiratory viruses to thrive.
He added: “Basically, we have a big mixing pot of different viruses that are beginning to do the rounds.
“Immunity has waned and people are getting ill.”
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows Rhinovirus, better known as the common cold, has surged in recent weeks, making it the most common cause of illness right now.
Covid remains in circulation too, driven by new variants XFG (Stratus) and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus). But, according to experts, widespread immunity means symptoms tend to be mild for most people.
There are early signs that flu may also be increasing, particularly among 15 to 25-year-olds, while RSV, which can cause severe illness in children, typically peaks in autumn.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
“There is often, although not always, a pattern.
“You tend to see Rhinovirus take off first and then RSV.
“Flu tends to come later in December and January. But that’s not always the case, and certainly the pandemic disrupted the traditional seasonal trends.
“What we’ve seen in the last year or so is those trends return to something like normal.”
He adds that current infection levels are not unusually high:
“Covid is above baseline and there’s a lot of Rhinovirus around.
“The uptick in flu in that younger age group has perhaps come a little bit earlier than we would expect, but it is still at a low level.”
Is it a cold, flu or Covid?
According to the NHS, the most common symptoms are:
- Symptoms appear gradually
- Mostly affects nose and throat
- Early sign – pressure in your ears
- Chestier, mucus cough
- Comes on suddenly
- Feel wiped out
- Fever, muscle aches, exhaustion
- Need bed rest
- Dry cough
- Typical flu symptoms
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhoea or tummy upset
Many of the symptoms between cold, flu and more serious viruses like Covid overlap.
How to Protect Yourself
Respiratory infections can be dangerous for vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and those with chronic conditions. In a bad winter, flu alone can cause tens of thousands of deaths.
However, experts say there’s no evidence that this year’s viruses are more severe among healthy individuals.
Professor Ball admitted:
“We all react in different ways – and we don’t really understand why.”
“Of course, age and fitness have a lot to do with it, but sometimes it is just your individual genetics or how tired and rundown you may be, or when you were last exposed to that particular virus.”
Vaccination remains the best protection. Jabs for flu, Covid and RSV are available to those most at risk, including older adults and people with health conditions.
For those who are ill, the UKHSA advises regular handwashing, especially coughing or sneezing.
It also suggests staying at home if possible and think about wearing a mask in public if symptomatic.
Professor Ball said it is right to take precautions to protect vulnerable people, but minor illnesses are part of life.
He added: “Most people will get one or two respiratory infections every year. In some ways, it’s a good thing when you are a child or healthy adult.
“By getting exposed, you are building up your immunity through natural infection, so when you are older, you hopefully have enough immunity to not get severely ill.”
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