'Freshers' flu' is a common name for a collection of cold viruses that typically spread rapidly when students arrive at university. It's unpleasant but rarely serious, though sometimes it may be genuine flu. Flu is more than just a bad cold and can be particularly serious for people with long-term health conditions, even when those …
The wastewater that we send from our toilets towards sewage treatment plants every day is potentially rich in data about our health. For the past 4 years, UKHSA has been monitoring wastewater across England for signs of polio, and over the past year has been testing new technologies to detect other potential threats. The next …
Scarlet fever is a childhood illness that some might associate with the past, but it remains fairly common in the UK. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in cases. Here, we answer the most common questions about scarlet fever, what to look out for and how to reduce its spread.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major respiratory virus that is most common over the winter period, typically November to February. Most cases are mild, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.
When autumn comes, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the autumn, previously known as the 'Autumn Booster'.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and larvae at residential properties in East London. It is the first time this species has been found breeding in the UK, and the fourth modern-day detection of Aedes …
As children head back to school and we move closer to winter, now is a good time to familiarise ourselves with some of the common illnesses that can cause disruption to children’s time in school during the colder months.
Flu season is approaching, and some people can already book their free NHS flu vaccine. Here's everything you need to know about who can get vaccinated this year, what's changed since last autumn, and whether you need to be concerned about the so-called ‘Super-K strain’ that circulated last season.
With UKHSA currently helping to investigate a national outbreak that may be linked to eggs imported from outside of the UK, we've answered some of the questions we're most commonly asked about this bacteria, the symptoms it causes, and how we track it.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common viral infection. Here's what you need to know, including the remarkable story of how a vaccine is helping to eliminate some cancers caused by HPV entirely.
