An National Health Service The leader said people with the flu “should” wear a mask in public. A UK government spokesman said that if you need to go out while sick, you should only “consider” wearing a mask.
So what is the official advice, how serious is threat flu, and what to do if there are symptoms?
What did the head of the NHS say?
Speaking to Times Radio, Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said there was a “very dangerous strain of flu” in the UK and people with flu or cold symptoms “should” wear a mask in public.
“When you talked about something like Covid, I think we need to get back to habit: if you are coughing and sneezing but not unwell enough to not go to work, then you should wear a mask when you are in public, including on public transport, to reduce the chance of passing the virus on to someone else.
“And we've all been very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.”
Asked if he meant that people who have a “cold, sniffle, cough” should also wear a mask in the office, Elkeles replied: “I think that would be very reasonable for all their co-workers, or probably their co-workers would say, 'Please go home.'
How does this differ from official government advice?
Downing Street said wearing a mask to prevent the spread of respiratory disease was “something people might consider”.
A No 10 spokesman said: “There has long been advice for people on a range of measures they can consider to help limit the spread of winter bugs if they have flu-like symptoms.
“This is not news or guidance, but simply something people can consider when trying to limit the spread of winter respiratory illnesses.”
This advice, which goes beyond saying people “should” wear a mask, is in line with what the UK's Healthcare Safety Agency said last Thursday.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “If you have flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, cough or feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with other people, especially those at higher risk.
“Wash your hands regularly, keep areas well ventilated, and if you need to go outside when you feel sick, consider wearing a mask.”
Does wearing a mask really help?
Yes. In some situations, masks can be a useful tool in limiting the spread of influenza.
Wearing a suitable mask when you feel unwell can reduce the number of particles containing viruses that are released from the mouth and nose of a person suffering from a respiratory infection.
According to the UKHSA, face masks can also protect the wearer from contracting other respiratory viruses.
How bad is this year's flu season in the UK?
Health officials are concerned. This year the season started a month earlier than usual and the drifting strain of influenza A(H3N2), also known as subclade K, is currently dominant in England.
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in England has reached a record high for this time of year. On average 1717 flu patients are in beds every day, including 69 in intensive care units, the latest data shows.
This is a 56% increase from the same week in 2024, when the total number of patients was 1,098, of whom 39 were in intensive care units.
Who is eligible for vaccination?
Flu vaccinations are available to anyone over 65 years of age or to those under 65 years of age who are clinically at risk.
Nursing home residents, caregivers, pregnant women, close contacts of immunocompromised people, frontline health care workers and children may also receive the vaccine.
What can you do to avoid the flu?
Flu spreads easily and can live on surfaces for 24 hours, so frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into tissues that are immediately thrown into the trash can help.
Health leaders also urged eligible people to come forward and get a flu shot.
Does the flu shot work against the subclade K strain?
Yes. UKHSA data shows this year's vaccine provides good protection against this strain.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu can develop very quickly. Symptoms include sudden fever, fatigue, aches, dry cough, sore throat, headache, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea.
What should I do if I think I have the flu?
The NHS recommends resting, keeping warm, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with fever, aches and pains. Pharmacists can also recommend medications.
People should call NHS 111 or make an urgent appointment with a doctor if they are over 65, pregnant, concerned about their baby's symptoms, have an underlying health condition, have a weakened immune system or if symptoms have not improved after seven days.
