Really terrified about this flu going around

[Caramelbarrel]

I’m in a total panic about the flu. It’s everywhere I look online, people are posting about it left, right and centre. Including locally.

I’m always hugely anxious when my DS gets ill anyway and so if he gets it I know I’ll be a wreck. I have bad health anxiety too.

I don’t know anyone personally who has it, but I know it’s just a matter of time.

I’m so worried I’ll get it before Christmas and it’ll all be ruined for our DS. We’re supposed to be going down and staying with family.

Can I ask how you know this? I'd be interested as I had the flu last year so I'm trying to decide whether to get the jab or not, if it's last year's strain then I'll have some immunity. I'm pregnant though so a little worried

Given it's only 70 per cent effective when it is actually based on the actual strain, maybe they are telling us to get it for financial reasons

Don't worry. Flu comes every year, but chances of getting it low. I know you'll hear everyone talking about having flu, but most of the time they have bad colds. Most of us don't get proper flu often over a lifetime. I've had it only twice. Both times horrible, couldn't get out of bed. Got it Feb 2016 and again Feb 2018. Decided to pay for jab from then onwards. Never had it since then, but might not have got it without jab. If you do or your DS gets it, it's tiresome but not serious unless you have underlying problems. There are plenty of things to have health anxiety over. Don't waste it on flu. Trust me. I worry about health stuff, but not flu. Happy, Healthy Xmas.

But this isn't about the flu really, is it? If doctors suddenly declared that this year's flu had been wiped out, you'd find something else to worry about - that's the nature of health anxiety. I expect you worry in the summer too?

Honestly, I would go and ask about getting help for the HA. Yes, flu can be nasty and it can be dangerous, but usually it's just a week or so of feeling rough. Get the jabs, do what you can not to get infected, but try not to worry. But HA can worsen when you least expect it and it can cripple you (and cause you to pass anxieties to your DS), so please do see about treatment for yourself.

Us too. Taking alot of shaking off.

I had flu jab - came down with a cold recently and groggy throat but otherwise ok. It’s taken me 2 weeks to clear but more of annoyance (long ethan normal), I had one day off work as i’d lost voice which unfortunately i do need lol 😆 This was after being exposed to colleague with confirmed flu A. My DD had had the flu sniff and recently like me is sniffing and a slight cough but it’s not come to anything. I haven’t tested for flu but if this was it the vaccine has definitely helped us.

Yeah, I work in A+E as a HCA in Scotland, I’ve been on shift the past 3 days, it’s been horrendous, back to full PPE, no visiting allowed, not enough side rooms in the department for people who are positive for flu, covid or RSV, it’s a bad strain this year, my mum and dad, both healthy and late 50s have been floored for almost 2 weeks. Just hope it gets under control and this will be the worst of it.

Flu vaccines always have more than one strain chosen to provide as broad a defence as possible. The H3N2 strain for this year is different from the one used last year and the subclade everyone is talking about is H3N2 subclade K, so it would definitely be a good idea to update your protection especially if pregnant. The antibodies will also pass to the baby. Even if the virus has mutated there is some protection.
You can see an overview table here (and cross-check with who.int if you want, though you'd have to look the years up separately). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_annual_reformulations_of_the_influenza_vaccine

No it’s not true.

For all of you saying there’s nothing/little to be worried about, you are wrong:

Search Assist

Hospital admissions for flu in England have reached record levels in 2025, with an average of 1,717 patients hospitalized daily, marking a 56% increase compared to the same week last year. Experts warn that this flu season could be one of the most severe in decades, driven by a new strain of the virus.
The Independent BBC

Current Flu Hospital Admissions in England
Overview of Admissions
The average number of flu patients in hospitals in England has reached record levels for this time of year.
As of early December 2025, there were approximately 1,700 patients hospitalized with flu daily, which is over 50% higher than the same period last year.
Yearly Comparison of Hospital Admissions
YEARAVERAGE DAILY ADMISSIONSPERCENTAGE INCREASE
2022
772
-
2023
243
-
2024
1,098
-
2025
1,700
56%
Severity and Strain
The current flu season has started earlier than usual, with a more severe strain, H3N2, contributing to the rise in cases.
Hospital admissions for flu have increased significantly, with experts warning that the peak of the season is still to come.
Impact on Healthcare
The NHS is facing immense pressure due to the high number of flu cases, alongside potential doctor strikes planned for mid-December.
Health officials are urging the public to seek appropriate care and avoid unnecessary visits to emergency departments for minor ailments.

In a way, it's always financial reasons as more severe illness costs the NHS more money, plus premature death is a financial burden on the country as well as an emotional one on the families affected. But you can look up the minutes of the meetings where they decide the composition each year and see the motivations stated, it's no secret.

I only get flu every few years (or covid now as don't test anymore so could be either). Myself and my 4 year old have had something flu or covid like this season already;l. It came on suddenly, fever, aches, sore throat, tired, hers turned into a cough and mine sinusitis. She was sent home from school and missed the rest of the week but caught up. But we were never worried as we knew there was a lot going round as it was on the news. We just accept we will lose the odd week to flu or covid but we aren't in any risk groups so we'll recover. We all get our flu vaccines but accept they have to guess the strains ahead of time so it can't be 100% affective, we don't covid vaccines at the moment as we'd have to pay and they are far more expensive than a flu jab. We don't always catch things from each other as we are careful with tissues and hand washing and our immune systems are different.

I think you might be overreacting. I am immunocompromised, over 65 and have respiratory problems and I'm not terrified. I have had flu once twenty years ago and know how poorly it can make you but you can't live life in fear.
I probably take more precautions than most people, I avoid indoor busy places and wash my hands when I get home or use hand gel when out.
It's unlikely to kill you if you are young and healthy.

All you can do is be prepared. Get your vaccine, mask up, practice good hygiene, stock up on remedies and be aware. That's it, that's all you can do. Being practical will hopefully set your mind at rest a little.

The World Health Organisation determines which strains to include each year.

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/history-of-influenza-vaccination

Had the flu jab, got the flu. Was floored. Onlt coming back to life now.

People talk nonsense every year about the flu vaccine not making any difference. Don’t listen to it. Congratulate yourself that you’ve done that for your child.

Get yourself to Superdrug to get it for yourself. It’s a tenner with a Superdrug card which you can get on the spot if you haven’t already got one.

Ooh is that what the flu looks like under the microscope? Reminds me of a squashed six-pack of mince pies 😂

I don't understand living in a state of panic when you can pay £14 at nearly any pharmacy and get the vaccine.

You can pay for it.

You are just making up stories to fuel your panic and whilst we can all do that please recognise it. I’ve not heard any of those things and I’ve not assumed I will get it . So why are your stories more believable than mine? Why don’t you believe my stories?

Althpugh he flu vaccine does not work very effectively to prevent you catching flu (decreases chances by 40-60% depening on the vaccine and flu strain each year) it does reduce the chances and also increases the chances that you will have a milder case than you would otherwise. It also deceases the chance that you will pass it on as you are likely to be less sick than you would have been otherwise with fewer symptoms and also with a lower viral load

None of this is to say that if you have the flu vaccine you won't catch flu and you won't be ill with it, you may be unlucky and even be very ill but the vaccine is your best chance of avoiding this. It is not certain though

I get the flu vaccine every year in October . Have done for the last 8-9 years,. I pay for it at the Chemist . I ring them usually in late August or early September and ask when they will have the flu jabs in, they are usualy available from September onwards sometime. Our local Pharrmacy does this every year and there is no need to book, just drop in wait -usually 10-20 mins and pay £15-20 then get the jab. done

Tbf, that's not always the case this year. My youngest DS has only just gone back to work after 4 full weeks signed off with flu in London. His GP said she's seen so many cases like this, especially a version complicated by bringing on sinusitis as well, which is what my DS had. He was very unwell indeed, and although the flu itself is obviously a virus, he still needed 2 lots of antibiotics for complications with the sinus part, and a chest infection . He'd never had flu before (and hadn't got round to getting the jabbed yet - and now can't get it until he's properly recovered) so it did shock him how awful it was.

Apparently younger people are more vulnerable to this year's severe strains too. My DS is only 28, generally fit and well, but has to commute on the train every day, which is no doubt where he caught it.

I've heard the same about the spray/jab which is why I replied to OP giving my own experiences. It's not a made-up story. Who's to say it's not you who's in denial?

The vaccine is the best defence against flu that we have. It is not perfect of course but if you are wiorried about getting flu, then get the vaccine. If you are not worried then don't

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/flu-vaccine-providing-important-protection-despite-new-subclade