Brits are being warned to brace themselves for a barrage of winter illnesses as NHS chiefs warned that a 'quad-demic' could be on the cards.
A 'tidal wave' of patients with flu are currently being cared for in UK hospitals, with the number of cases increasing by a whopping 70 percent in just a week.
New data released by NHS England show that the number of flu admissions spiked by more than two thirds in seven days.
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Health bosses have warned that hospitals will likely be put under immense strain over the festive period, as three other seasonal viruses are also wreaking havoc.
As well as the number of flu infections rising drastically, there has been a big jump in the number of norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases too.
On top of this formidable trio, Brits have also got the expected leap in coronavirus cases to worry about too - hence why these four illnesses are being referred to as a 'quad-demic'.
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The interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, explained what the term means during an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
She said: "Quad-demic...it’s an awful word, but it does mean that we’ve got four different viruses running around at the moment – we’ve got flu, we’ve got Covid, we’ve got norovirus and RSV.
"And all of those coming together makes it incredibly challenging."
Ms Cordery said that GP services and A&E departments will bare the brunt of the quad-demic, meaning hospitals will face 'enormous pressure' throughout winter.
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"We’ve seen a real rise in the number of children who are suffering from flu in particular, and often that’s a predictor of a later wave coming in adults," she continued.
“So it’s likely that we might see rising demand in adults further down the line. So yes, we are bracing ourselves, I think, for a challenging winter ahead."
Last week, an average of 1,861 patients with flu were in hospital each day, including 66 in critical care beds - in comparison to 1,099 the week beforehand, when 39 were in critical care.
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These figures, which were published by the NHS, show that the number of flu admissions is four times higher than this time last year.
According to ITV, 95 percent of hospital beds are currently full and an average of 96,587 were occupied in England each day last week.
Medics are understandably concerned about how hospitals will fare as they are faced with a quad-demic of disease, including the national medical director for NHS England.
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Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: "The tidal wave of flu cases and other seasonal viruses hitting hospitals is really concerning for patients and for the NHS – the figures are adding to our ‘quad-demic’ worries.
"While the NHS has plans in place to manage additional demand over the busy winter period, with one week left to book your vaccine, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting booked in to protect yourself against serious illness and to avoid ‘festive flu’."
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting echoed his comments and called on Brits to get their jabs if they are eligible.
"Since the general election, we have been ramping up to delivering the extra two million appointments a year, ending the strikes and investing more in the health service," he said.
"As a result, the NHS today is delivering a record number of treatments and waiting lists have begun to fall. There’s a long way to go, but through our plan for change we will get patients seen on time again.
"With A&Es facing record demand, we are continuing to encourage people to protect themselves, their family, and the NHS by getting vaccinated before it’s too late."
Olivia Burke