Flu information for patients and visitors : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Face masks to be worn in some areas of our hospitals

With rates of flu rising, we are asking staff, patients and visitors to wear the masks available in our Emergency Department as well as other areas where there is a high risk of infections spreading.

Staff and visitors should not enter clinical areas if they have symptoms of flu, norovirus or COVID-19. Patients with symptoms who need emergency care should still attend but wear a mask if possible.

We will continue to monitor this situation to ensure we are taking the right precautions for the safety of our patients and staff.

Visitors to other areas can wear a mask if they choose to, and masks will be available at the main entrances of our hospitals and all wards.

If you are eligible and have not already done so, please consider getting your flu vaccination to protect yourself and others.

Help us to prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses, to keep our patients safe

Flu is a highly infectious and very common viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes. It is not the same as the common cold. Flu is caused by a different group of viruses. Symptoms tend to be more severe and last for longer. You can catch flu (short for influenza), all year round, but it is especially common in winter months in the UK.

Symptoms of flu include:

Fever (38 degrees C)
Shortness of breath or cough
Headache
Runny nose
Sore throat
Fatigue
Aching limbs
Lack of appetite
Vomiting and/ or diarrhoea

If you have a fever and any two of the above symptoms do not visit the hospital.

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms. They can continue to spread the virus in coughs and sneezes, for between five and seven days. People become less infectious as their symptoms subside and once symptoms are gone, they are no longer considered infectious to others. If you had a transplant and/or receive chemotherapy or other immunosuppression you might be excreting the virus for longer

The very elderly
Those with long-term lung, kidney, neurological, liver or heart disease;
Children under five and people over 65 Those with diabetes mellitus
People with weaken immune systems as a result of a disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or medication (such as steroids, chemotherapy)
Patients with chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases
Pregnant women

Contact your GP/pharmacy for your annual vaccine (flu jab) if this is the case.

Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue
Dispose of used tissues promptly and carefully
Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water or alcohol gel to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, the environment or to other people
Wear a face mask in clinical areas when asked

Limit contact with others
Contact your GP/local pharmacist for treatment advice and they can recommended flu remedies.
If you are acutely unwell and/or are feeling worse despite advice from your GP and/or NHS 111 and need to come to A&E please report your symptoms at reception.

If you are coming for a routine outpatient appointment, please reschedule your appointment date if possible so appropriate isolation measures can be made
If you are attending for day care treatment, please call the department in advance to inform them you have flulike symptoms so appropriate measures can be taken.
If you are due to be admitted to hospital and have symptoms of flu or any other illness please call the number on your admission letter or the ward where you are being admitted so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Department of Health website

NHS website

UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA)