We introduce the new campaign to Keep Antibiotics Working, fronted by our mascot Andi Biotic, and look at why we all need to be more aware of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Every winter, influenza viruses sweep through communities, causing a seasonal epidemic. There are several different flu vaccines that are used in the national vaccination programme and all of them protect against the 3 main flu virus types: influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B.
Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria or viruses. Some of the bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia (blood …
Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug (although you can catch it throughout the year, including during summer), is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It spreads easily through communities, making outbreaks common in settings where individuals have close contact such as hospitals, care homes, schools and nurseries.
Our scientists are tracking flu and other respiratory viruses and they need your help. Join our FluSurvey UK-wide citizen science programme and contribute directly to protecting the nation’s health this winter.
This blog post is an explainer of important information about these winter infections; their signs and symptoms, and information on who is eligible for vaccination.
As we enter autumn, rates of respiratory illnesses start to rise and people ask how the most common current lineages - or groups of genetically similar viruses - compare to previous COVID-19 variants.
As we approach autumn, it's nearly time for people with certain long-term health conditions to be booked in for their free flu jab. Individuals with these conditions are at risk of more severe outcomes if they catch flu. If you're eligible, you need to know why it matters that you take up the offer.
Oropouche virus disease is a lesser-known tropical infection that’s been spreading across Central and South America in recent years. If you're planning to travel to the region, or are just curious about this emerging health concern, here's everything you need to know.
Chikungunya may not be a household name, but this mosquito-borne viral infection has become a significant concern for travellers to some destinations. The disease, whose name derives from the Kimakonde (a language of Southern Tanzania) word meaning ‘that which bends up’ due to the severe joint pain it causes, has spread across the globe in …
While many of us revel in the hot summer sunshine, others are at risk of developing heat-related complications such as sunstroke and heatstroke. In this blog post we will outline how heat affects the body and look at some of the …
