Doctor Xand van Tulleken said that there is one simple thing we can all do this winter
BBC Morning Live’s Dr Xand van Tulleken warned viewers that they need to take action now, stressing there are four illnesses you can avoid this winter. It was revealed on the show that there has been a 350% increase from this time last year in the amount of people who have flu and if you haven’t booked your vaccine, you may want to.
The doctor says that headlines the media are writing about around the “quad-demic” and NHS being overrun with flu cases are “actually quite useful because they should prompt everyone in the middle of the busy chaos of Christmas to go ‘hang on a minute I actually should avoid getting all these things'”.
The combo of the flu, RSV, norovirus and Covid-19 have been dubbed the ‘quad-demic’ by doctors. “So you’ve got these four things going around, it’s a huge burden on the NHS. So there’s been a slightly lower normal than uptake of the flu vaccine and you only need a few more vulnerable people and a little less vaccine [uptake] and suddenly the opportunity for this virus spread [increases] and of course flu can be life-threatening.”
How can I tell the difference between the flu and cold?
Dr Xand explains that the “cold will come on a little bit more slowly and typically a cold is upper respiratory tract. Perhaps you may have a very sore throat with a lot of snot and nasal congestion. But flu will drop you like a sack of bricks. Flu is a different experience. A cold you can keep functioning, it’s miserable, it’s no fun, but flu can be life-threatening.
“It can hospitalise you and cause major problems. It tends to come quickly and flu is what you call a whole systemic illness so it’s muscle pains, severe muscle soreness, weakness, exhaustion, being short of breath. Sometimes confusion and it can make many other health conditions worse. So the big distinction basically is flu, the really bad one”.
Dr Xand’s flu warning
Talking about what people need to think about when it comes to the flu, he says you’re at risk of blood clots and DVT. If you are in bed, you ar are also at risk of losing muscle mass. He warns people they need to be aware of pneumonia, blood clots, loss of muscle and how the flu will affect their other health conditions stressing “that’s what you have to have in your head when you start to think about the flu.”
Do I need to get a flu jab?
Dr Xand says if you’ve been putting it off, it’s best to get it now. You can book your free NHS flu vaccination here. Some health conditions may mean you are also eligible to get it under the NHS free of charge.
If flu can be deadly, how can I reduce my risk of it getting worse?
Dr Xand says: “You can reduce your risk of hospitalisation substantially. The first thing is when you’re thinking about that pneumonia, you don’t want to be in bed and let your lungs shut down.” Because of this he says simply taking a deep breath in the morning can help. “Literally opening your chest alters your risk of getting a severe chest infection. It doesn’t reduce it to nothing, but it makes a big difference. The same thing with movement.“
By doing stretches Doctor Xand says it will “keep your muscles active” and it will also “reduce your chance of getting a blood clot and DVT.”
Should I talk to my GP?
The health guru says that if you have “diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, liver disease or kidney problems, speak to your GP.” You don’t need to see your GP in person he says as you don’t want to risk spreading your illness, however by calling them, they may want to keep an eye on you or tell you things to keep an eye on – “and sometimes you do need to go to hospital. But that’s a structure you want to have in your head. Move a bit, hydrate, feed yourself well and stay a little bit active”, Dr Xand stressed.
Is ‘feed a cold, starve fever’ true or a myth?
The GP says that old folks remedies like “chicken soup is a great medicine”. However this common saying is “one I’ve always found really annoying and strange because one of the symptom in another an infection. If you’ve got flu, you do not want to starve it. So ignore it [saying], nurse yourself well and eat healthy.”
Should I call 999?
Ending on a key note, Dr Xand concluded: “I always think of my brother and I looking after our mum who was gradually getting poorly and we just missed the pneumonia. She was just deteriorating so if you’ve got a family member, or if you are coughing up blood, you are short of breath, if you’re having chest pain – then those things you need to call 999.”
You should close your eyes, think about them healthy, open them and look at the person who is ill. suggests the doctor. If they are grey or blue, they look like they are shutting down and struggling, “then there is a moment you have to call 999.”
