HSE issue flu warning to public amid rapid surge in cases - signs and symptoms to look out for

More than 1,000 people have been hospitalised with the flu and the HSE has warned that this number was “increasingly rapidly”

By: irishmirror.ie

Jan 01 2025
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HSE issue flu warning to publi

The HSE has issued a warning to the public amid a surge in flu cases in recent days.

Latest figures from the HSE show that a total of 1,017 people were recorded to have the flu in hospital on New Year's Eve, increasing from 984 cases on Monday, 869 the previous day and 562 last Tuesday (December 24).

A HSE spokesperson said that hospitals across the country are "extremely busy", with GP out-of-hours services, GP surgeries, ambulance services, hospital emergency departments and inpatient services “all feeling the effects of respiratory illnesses, primarily influenza”.

In a statement released on Tuesday (December 31), HSE CEO Bernard Gloster urged people to cooperate with visitor restrictions and other control measures in order to prevent the spread of illness.

"We now have 1,017 people in hospital with flu," he said yesterday. "This morning we had 322 people admitted and waiting on trolleys and they were being cared for in both hospital wards and in our EDs.

"All our staff and systems are responding and managing very well and even though we have improved on recent years, there is no doubt that the system is under pressure.

"Our hospitals are operating infection prevention control measures and we ask everyone to help and co-operate, including with any visitor restrictions that may be in place.

"We know that can be difficult for families and loved ones, especially at this time of year, but we must protect our patients and prevent the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare settings.”

The HSE said that self-care and taking appropriate advice from Pharmacies, GPs and Community Services are all the first steps to protecting yourself and others, reports RSVP.

Similar to last year a significant number of GP practices around the country are offering additional hours outside their normal surgery hours in the morning, evening and at weekends.

The number of people using the GP out-of-hours service has increased by over 45% in some areas, compared to the same period last year and we would urge people who are feeling unwell to contact their GP.

The HSE is also urging people to take care when socialising over the coming days.

"This is a joyous time for many but we encourage people to take care," said Mr Gloster.

"Road safety, food safety, fire safety, mental wellbeing are all issues people need to consider and when these are not attended to the consequences can be significant.

"Additionally this year we would ask if you are in any way Flu symptomatic please protect yourself and others by restricting your contacts and please do not visit people in hospital or care settings.”

According to the HSE, flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

a sudden high temperature of 38 degrees or above
aches and pains
feeling tired or exhausted
a dry cough
a sore throat
a headache
difficulty sleeping
loss of appetite
diarrhoea or tummy pain
feeling sick and being sick

The symptoms of flu are similar for children. But they can also get a pain in their ear and seem to be less active.

The HSE is advising members of the public that there are some things you can do to help ease symptoms and get better more quickly. These include:

get rest and sleep
keep warm
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

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