With flu season truly upon us once more, a pharmacist has highlighted crucial NHS guidance for supporting your immune system. Currently, the number of people hospitalised with flu in England has reached record levels for this time of year, with health officials warning that the NHS is preparing for an “unprecedented wave” of infections. Given this situation, it’s vital that we take every possible step to avoid requiring hospital treatment ourselves.
While cold and flu remedies typically top sufferers’ shopping lists, pharmacist Riya emphasises that maintaining adequate vitamin levels is equally important – and there’s one particular supplement you should prioritise. “Before you rush out and buy your multivitamins, here is what the NHS actually recommends,” she began in a TikTok video.
“The only supplement recommended for the general population by the NHS is actually Vitamin D – not multivitamins, not Vitamin C, not zinc – just Vitamin D.” The pharmacist explained that this vitamin is particularly beneficial during autumn and winter months when we don’t obtain sufficient amounts naturally due to shorter daylight hours.
“Whilst Vitamin C is essential for your immune cell function, it doesn’t actually prevent you from getting colds and flu and doesn’t make the symptoms any milder,” Riya clarified. She acknowledged, however, that Vitamin C might shorten the duration of colds and flu by “half a day”, but there “isn’t strong enough evidence” for the NHS to recommend zinc as a “routine supplementation”.
Riya continued: “So the only recommendation is Vitamin D. The NHS suggests 10 micrograms or 400 units of Vitamin D between October and March. Studies have found that adequate Vitamin D does reduce your risk of respiratory infections, especially in those who are deficient.”
According to the first NHS winter situation report of the year, an average of 1,717 flu patients occupied hospital beds across England daily last week, with 69 requiring critical care. These figures represent a 56 per cent surge compared to the same period in 2024, when 1,098 patients were hospitalised with 39 in intensive care.
The numbers also significantly exceed those recorded at this time in previous years – 243 patients in 2023 and 772 in 2022. The NHS has also reported that 30 per cent of patients arriving by ambulance at hospitals in England last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over to A&E teams.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency said respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have also increased week on week. Hospitalisations rose from 2.38 to 3.75 per 100,000 people, while positive tests increased from 8.7 per cent to 10 per cent.
Positive Covid tests, however, fell from 2.3 per cent to 2.1 per cent, while hospitalisations with Covid increased slightly from 0.88 to 1.03 per 100,000 of the population.
What you need to know about the massive flu outbreak and what 11 symptoms to look out for
- Cases of the new H3N2 flu strain have surged with health NHS chiefs warning of a “tidal wave” of infections ahead of Christmas.
- Hospital admissions for flu are up by about 56 per cent on figures from last year, with the peak season for the illness still due to come.
- Brits eligible for a vaccination have been encouraged to get one in order to prevent more severe symptoms from occurring.
- The UK Health Security Agency said children are around 70 to 75 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital if vaccinated, and adults are about 30 to 40 per cent less likely to be admitted.
- People who are aged 65 and over, live with long-term health conditions, are pregnant, live in a care home, are carers for an old or disabled person, or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, can book their flu vaccinations here.
- Flu symptoms include: A sudden high temperature, an aching body, feeling tired, a dry cough, a sore throat, a headache, difficulty sleeping, a loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain or/and feeling sick and being sick.
- Symptoms for children are similar, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
The NHS’ full flu guidance can be found here.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
