Every Winter, millions of people in the UK come down with coughs, colds, and viruses. Cold weather drives us indoors, where germs spread more easily, and our immune systems can be a little weaker. Here’s 4 of the very worst Winter bugs to look out for, including symptoms, treatments - and how to avoid them altogether.
1. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
What is RSV?
RSV is a very common respiratory virus that usually appears between November and February and causes mild cold-like symptoms. But it’s not to be sniffed at – it can be more serious in babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, accounting for approximately 20,000 hospitalisations each year in babies under 1, and 9,000 hospitalisations in those aged 75 1.
Symptoms of RSV
RSV can look very similar to an ordinary cold, but some symptoms to watch for include:
- A runny or blocked nose
- Coughing and sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
How to treat RSV
There’s no specific medicine for RSV. For most people:
- Rest and fluids help the body recover
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease fever and discomfort
- Keep an eye out for breathing difficulties in young children, so if they’re breathing fast, struggling to feed, or becoming unusually tired or unresponsive.
How to avoid RSV (and avoid spreading it)
- Wash your hands regularly and clean shared surfaces
- Keep away from very young babies if you have cold-like symptoms
- Ask your doctor about vaccination, which is now available for some groups, including infants and older adults.
2. Covid-19
What is Covid?
Covid has never really gone away, and new strains of the disease develop all the time, which is normal for any virus.
While for most people Covid is no longer as severe as it was in the first days of the pandemic, it is still causing severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths – particularly among those with a weakened immune system or long-term health conditions. and certain long-term health conditions, as well as older people.
Symptoms of Covid
Symptoms of Covid do change with each variation of the virus, but common ones include:
- High temperature, fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Loss or change in sense of taste or smell
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- A blocked nose
- Body aches
- Headaches.
How to treat Covid
- For most people rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relief are usually enough to see you through a bout of Covid
- Some people at higher risk may be eligible for antiviral treatments – so talk to your NHS GP if you think you might qualify.
How to avoid Covid (and avoid spreading it)
- Wash your hands regularly
- Let in fresh air when indoors with others
- Try and stay at home if you feel unwell to avoid spreading the illness further, and mask-up if you can’t avoid spending time with vulnerable people
- Vaccines are available for anyone aged 65 and over, living in a care home for older adults, or in a clinical risk group aged over 6 months.
3. Flu
What is Flu?
Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It’s far worse than a normal common cold, and comes on much more suddenly and severely, often causing fever and body aches alongside cold symptoms.
Flu affects thousands of people each year, and can lead to serious illness. Over the past 2 winters, at least 18,000 deaths were associated with flu. Young children, older people and those with underlying health conditions of weakened immune systems are amongst those at higher risk.
Symptoms of Flu
- Sudden high temperature
- Aching muscles and joints
- Exhaustion and weakness
- Dry cough and sore throat.
How to treat Flu
- For most people, Flu can be treated with lots of rest and plenty of fluids
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen in recommended doses to ease aches and fever
- Stay home until you feel better.
How to avoid Flu (and avoid spreading it)
- Get your annual flu jab –proven to be extremely effective in preventing serious illness, and available to pregnant women, older adults, children, carers and those with certain health conditions
- Wash your hands regularly
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
2. Norovirus
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is often called the “winter vomiting bug, and every year hundreds of thousands of people in the UK catch it. Outbreaks often peak during the Winter months, but norovirus can circulate at any time of year. It’s highly contagious, and spreads easily in places like schools, offices, hospitals and care homes.
While it can make you feel very unwell, most people recover from Norovirus at home within 2 to 3 days. But there are still thousands of hospitalisations, usually amongst older people and those with underlying health conditions.
Symptoms of Norovirus
Symptoms usually develop suddenly within 12 to 48 hours after catching the virus. They include:
- Sudden onset of vomiting
- Diarrhoea (often watery)
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Nausea
- Fever, headache, and aching limbs (although this is less common).
How to Treat Norovirus
There’s no cure for norovirus, but you can manage symptoms at home:
- Get plenty of rest
- Try and keep drinking fluids, even if you’re still being sick.
- Use oral rehydration drinks or clear soups alongside water to help replace lost fluids, sugars and salts
- As you recover, eat plain food like toast, rice and plain pasta while your stomach gets back to normal.
- Watch out for signs of dehydration in babies and older people – lack of wees or wet nappies, lethargy, confusion and unresponsiveness.
How to avoid Norovirus (and avoid spreading it)
Norovirus spreads very easily through contact with infected people, contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water (hand sanitiser is less effective against norovirus)
- Disinfect surfaces with bleach-based cleaners
- Wash clothes and bedding on a hot wash if contaminated
- Avoid preparing food for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop
- Stay off work or school until you’ve been symptom-free for at least 2 days.
When to seek medical help
Most winter illnesses will clear up on their own, but you should get urgent medical help if you or someone you’re caring for
- Has difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Develops a very high fever or sudden confusion
- Is unable to keep fluids down
- Shows signs of dehydration (such as not passing urine for 8 hours, dizziness or confusion)
- If a baby or young child is feeding poorly, breathing fast, or unusually drowsy.
How your Equipsme plan can help
Nurse helpline
If you’re ever unsure about what do next, you can call the AXA Health Nurse helpline for guidance and support. It’s staffed 24/7 by nurses but members can also get access to midwives and pharmacists, who can help you decide how to treat an illness, what medicine to take, and when to take further action.
How to use the health support line
24/7 GP service
If you can’t get in to see your NHS GP and you really need to talk to someone about your Winter illness, you can make an appointment with our Health Hero GP service at a time to suit you, and talk to someone from the comfort of your own sofa – or bathroom.
How to use the 24/7 GP service
6 tips to stay healthy this Winter
There are some simple lifestyle habits that can help keep you strong through the colder months – and maybe keep some of the Winter bugs above at bay:
1. Keep warm – Layer up, heat your home to at least 18°C, and use blankets when needed.
2. Eat well – A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg helps support your immune system.
3. Stay active – Even a short daily walk boosts circulation and energy.
4. Sleep enough – Rest is vital for your body to fight off infections.
5. Drink fluids – Staying hydrated keeps your throat and airways moist, making it harder for germs to take hold.
Look after your mental health – Darker days can affect mood, so try to get daylight, connect with others, and take breaks when needed.
To find out more about your Equipsme benefits and how to use them, and what is and is not covered, visit your Member’s Portal www.equipsme.com/login
All our information is desk-based research from credible sources only, including the NHS and government websites.
Date created: October 2025
References
- NHS – Common Cold
- NHS – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- NHS – Flu
- NHS – Covid-19
- UKHSA – What winter bug do I have?
- NHS – Norovirus (vomiting bug)
