Health: Flu surge strains NHS as weight-loss jab users face dehydration risks

Health officials warned Friday that the winter flu season is intensifying, putting renewed pressure on the NHS as hospital beds fill at rates not seen at this point in recent years. England’s health system is contending with influenza admissions that officials say are higher than ever for this time of year, with projections suggesting between 5,000 and 8,000 hospital cases by the end of the week. By contrast, the highest previously recorded figure stood at about 5,400. Officials have stressed that there is no clear peak in sight, underscoring the challenge facing hospitals already stretched by routine winter demand and the ongoing COVID-19 era. In parallel, data show a sharp uptick in consumer demand for remedies, with searches for cold and flu tablets rising around 4,400 percent across the UK this month, while norovirus activity in hospitals is up about 35 percent compared with last week.

Public health authorities have repeatedly urged people to get vaccinated against the flu, arguing that vaccination remains the most effective tool for reducing serious illness. Yet vaccines require time to confer protection: flu shots can take up to 14 days to reach full effectiveness, meaning those who have not yet received a jab may remain vulnerable through Christmas and into the new year. The timing issue matters for an estimated 1.5 million people on weight loss injections, who may be weighing how to manage the holidays while staying on course with treatment and protection against illness.

Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy and weight loss expert at Chemist4U, cautioned that the combination of a flu outbreak with weight loss injections can present an additional hurdle for patients trying to stay well during the holidays. He noted that dehydration is a potentially deadly risk for anyone who falls ill, and that some common dose-related side effects of weight loss medications—such as headache, fatigue and nausea—can mimic flu symptoms. However, the real flu typically presents with onset within one to three days of exposure, and most cases resolve within a week, though fatigue and a lingering cough can linger for longer. The newer H3N2 strain, while a different variant, still brings fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes gastrointestinal upset, demanding careful management for those on appetite-suppressing regimens.

Murphy highlighted a key signal to watch among patients using these injections: appetite suppression. If illness leads to a reduced ability to eat three meals a day, he advised patients to consider skipping a dose until full recovery. The rationale is to minimise dehydration and the risk of malnutrition, both of which can complicate recovery from flu. He added that, for those unable to eat or drink normally, continuing a medication that suppresses appetite could hamper the body’s ability to fight infection and slow healing. Maintaining hydration is especially critical for people taking Wegovy or Mounjaro, he said, and patients should be mindful of drinking enough water and recognizing the signs of dehydration.

The pharmacist also recommended the use of rehydration solutions or electrolyte drinks to help maintain fluid intake and balance, particularly during cold and flu season. He stressed that staying hydrated is crucial for anyone affected by influenza and particularly important for those on weight loss medications, as dehydration and malnutrition can escalate quickly when appetite is suppressed by treatment. In addition to hydration, Murphy advised that patients should continue to monitor symptoms and seek medical advice if they experience red-flag signs of illness. He cited warning signs such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, persistent high fever, severe dehydration or a rapid deterioration in symptoms, which require urgent medical evaluation.

Across the population, elderly individuals remain especially vulnerable to flu complications due to waning immune function and the prevalence of chronic conditions that can complicate illness. Officials note that while younger cohorts report rising case counts, those aged 85 and older are five times more likely to be hospitalized, heightening concern about potential transmission to at-risk relatives around the holiday period. Among younger patients, children aged five to 14 appear to be driving a surge in cases, complicating household risk assessments as families balance school holidays with protection measures.

Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS England, has warned that if the number of patients requiring overnight treatment continues to rise and surpasses 5,000, the system could face further strain at a time when resources are already under pressure. The warning aligns with a broader focus on improving vaccination uptake and ensuring that patients on potent weight loss regimens receive appropriate guidance during illness to minimize adverse outcomes.

Separately, a parallel development related to the weight loss medications is the launch of a trial aimed at overweight Britons taking Mounjaro to assess broader long-term health effects, including work-related outcomes such as unemployment and days lost to illness. The trial reflects ongoing interest in the social and economic dimensions of weight management strategies, even as the medical community emphasizes careful management of these medications during concurrent illnesses like influenza.

Against this backdrop, health authorities are urging the public to pursue vaccination, maintain hydration, monitor appetite and nutrition, and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or red-flag signs emerge. For people on weight loss injections, the guidance is to anticipate potential challenges during an infection and to communicate with healthcare providers about the best course of action if flu symptoms intensify or if appetite and fluid intake fall short of recovery thresholds. Sleep, warmth and general symptom relief with over-the-counter remedies remain part of standard supportive care, with clinicians emphasizing that tailored advice from a patient’s own doctor is essential in balancing chronic treatment with an acute infection.

In summary, the convergence of a high-demand flu season and widespread use of weight loss injections is prompting clinicians and pharmacists to stress practical steps: vaccination where possible, early recognition of flu symptoms, careful management of medications during illness, sustained hydration, and close monitoring for signs that require medical attention. As hospital occupancy climbs and the country approaches the peak of winter, officials say timely vaccination combined with vigilant self-care is the best defense against the season’s upheaval, while healthcare systems continue to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape.