Nearly 50% of Individuals with Flu-Like Symptoms Skip Work or School, New Data Reveals

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released findings from FluSurvey that shed light on the significant impact of flu-like illnesses on individuals’ daily routines. The data reveals how such illnesses not only affect personal health but also disrupt work and educational commitments.

Disruption to Work and Education

Among participants engaged in work or education, a notable 47% reported having missed time due to flu-like symptoms in previous winter seasons. The majority of these individuals indicated that their illness interfered with their daily lives, leading many to manage their symptoms at home. However, 14% sought assistance from their General Practitioner (GP) or other healthcare services.

Most participants resorted to self-treatment, primarily relying on painkillers to alleviate their symptoms. These findings highlight the extensive effects of flu-like illnesses, not only on personal wellbeing but also on productivity and educational continuity.

Importance of Vaccination for Children

Vaccinating school-aged children early in the flu season is essential, not only to safeguard their health but also to mitigate the risk of transmission to the wider community, particularly to vulnerable groups such as elderly relatives and younger siblings. Immunising children can significantly reduce the likelihood of parents needing to take time off work to care for unwell children.

Dr Becki Green, Principal Scientist for Respiratory Viruses at UKHSA, commented on the findings, stating, “These results illustrate the substantial impact flu-like illnesses have on daily life. While many individuals appropriately manage their symptoms at home, nearly half miss work or school, necessitating time for recovery. This underscores the importance of receiving the flu vaccine, not only for personal protection against severe illness but also to lessen the broader disruptions flu causes annually in workplaces, educational institutions, and the economy.”

Potential Risks and Vaccination Uptake

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, emphasised the serious implications flu can have on everyday life. “As indicated by these findings, flu can lead to time away from work, education, and family life. Furthermore, it poses a significant health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions.”

To date, over 7 million children and adults have received their flu vaccination, which remains the most effective means of preventing serious illness and reducing the disruption flu brings to individuals and communities each winter. Those who are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination, including pregnant women and parents of young children, are encouraged to come forward promptly to protect themselves and those around them.

Insights from FluSurvey and Ongoing Monitoring

FluSurvey, the UK’s longest-running participatory surveillance system, relies on voluntary weekly reporting from the public to track flu-like symptoms and other respiratory illnesses that might otherwise be overlooked by traditional healthcare surveillance. The data for this analysis was gathered over two complete winter seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25), with more than 68,000 symptom surveys completed.

Dr Jamie Lopez-Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, noted that while current flu levels are low, there has been a deceleration in the early rise observed in previous weeks, and COVID-19 levels have also stabilised. “We will continue closely monitoring all major respiratory viruses throughout the winter to identify trends early and keep the public informed,” he stated.

Preventative Measures and Getting Vaccinated

Even with low levels of respiratory viruses at present, predicting future trends can be challenging. Vaccination remains the most effective defence against these illnesses. Those who are eligible are urged to book their free NHS flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccines, and to ensure that children receive their easy and painless nasal spray flu vaccine before germs begin to circulate more widely this winter.

In addition to vaccination, simple preventative measures can help curb the spread of winter viruses. Individuals are advised to stay at home if experiencing flu-like symptoms, maintain good hand hygiene, and cover their coughs and sneezes. It is also crucial to avoid contact with particularly vulnerable individuals and to refrain from visiting those at higher risk in hospitals and care homes.

For those uncertain about their eligibility or needing to book an appointment, information is available through the NHS App or website, by contacting local GP practices, or by visiting participating pharmacies. Further details can also be found on the UKHSA blog, providing guidance on eligibility for the autumn 2026 flu vaccine.

Registration is now open for individuals wishing to participate in this year’s FluSurvey, offering a straightforward way to contribute to the nation’s health by completing a brief survey each week and helping to monitor flu and other respiratory viruses this winter.