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'.
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.
As the weather turns colder and we close our windows and turn on our heating, there's an invisible danger that can leak into our homes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that you cannot see, smell or taste - but it can kill.
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.
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.
We’ve hit the middle of winter and it’s cold, wet, and windy, with some snow and ice appearing across the country. At this time of year we can start expecting Met Office cold weather alerts. This is normal winter weather …
Influenza activity is currently at low levels and whilst last year’s flu season was less severe than some we’ve seen, we must remember the unpredictable nature of the virus. It’s impossible to predict the impact that the disease will have …
This week we publish our Cold Weather Plan for 2014, part of the national effort to reduce an estimated 25,000+ excess winter deaths in England each year, many of which are entirely preventable. It may not be a surprise to …
