We are always told to never mix work and friendships in social settings. While it is normal to make friendships at work, you should always keep a professional distance to make sure things do not go sour and start affecting your work. This also means that you do not divulge private information or have private conversations with your colleagues as you may never know how this could be brought up and affect you. This is an unsaid rule in corporate culture that if you are sick or you are coming down with a serious issue, you should never bring it up and keep it to yourself. While this may seem unusual to new workers, it is a very common knowledge for people who have been in the industry for a long time. A new study showed that this is much more common than many people believe!

A new poll shows that a lot of U.S. workers with long-term health problems keep it a secret from their bosses. This affects their health and their jobs. It's a big problem that employers could help fix, which would be good for everyone. This isn't just about people having a sniffle. We're talking about serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and asthma that require ongoing management and can significantly impact a person's life, both inside and outside of work. The fact that so many people feel they need to hide these conditions shows a larger issue of stigma and lack of support in the workplace.

How Does Health Become A Hidden Burden?

Most U.S. workers which were over half of the people, have some kind of long-term health problem. But a lot of them, about 6 out of 10, don't tell their boss. They might be afraid their boss will treat them differently or think they can't do their job. Keeping secrets like this can make it hard to get the help you need at work. It can also make your health problems worse because you're stressed about hiding them. It's a tough situation, and it shows that many workplaces aren't as supportive as they could be.

The poll also found that more than a third of people with health problems have had to miss doctor's appointments because of work. This means they're putting their jobs ahead of their health, which isn't good. It's hard to balance work and health, especially when you have a long-term illness. People need understanding bosses who will let them take time off for important medical stuff. Missing appointments can make health problems worse, and it can also make people feel more stressed and anxious.

Does It Impact Their Career And Well-Being?

Almost half of the workers with health problems said they couldn't even take breaks during the day to take care of themselves. They also said they felt like they'd been passed over for promotions because of their health. And some people even got bad reviews at work because of their health problems. This can make people feel really bad about themselves and their jobs. It can also make their health problems worse because they're so stressed. It's not fair, and it's something that needs to change.

It's not just people with health problems who have a hard time. Lots of people are also taking care of someone at home who is sick. Almost half of these caregivers have to help their sick family member during work hours. And many of them have trouble taking time off to care for their loved ones. Some people even have to work fewer hours, which means less money. This shows how much pressure people are under, trying to juggle work and family and health.

The last thing anyone hopes to unwrap this Christmas is a heavy dose of flu. Yet as hospital admissions linked to the virus climb to levels not seen since 2010, this winter’s flu surge has pushed the NHS into what officials are calling a “worst-case scenario.”

Infections have jumped by over 50 per cent in just one week, and health leaders say there is still no clear peak. On average, 2,660 people a day were occupying hospital beds with flu last week, the highest figure ever recorded for this point in the season. Data from the UK Health Security Agency show the highest infection rates among children aged five to 14, followed closely by young people between 15 and 24. A number of schools have temporarily closed to curb outbreaks, while NHS leaders have advised people to consider wearing masks at work or on public transport, echoing guidance seen during the Covid years.

What Is Super Flu?

The strain driving the current spike has picked up the nickname “super flu” because it is believed to be a mutated form of influenza A (H3N2), known as “subclade K.”

Influenza H3N2 does not circulate as often as some other flu strains. Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor of cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, explains that the letters “H” and “N” refer to two proteins found on the virus surface, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. “The numbers simply tell us which versions of those proteins are present,” says Dr Clarke. “It’s a way of grouping strains. This year, H3N2 happens to be the one in the lead.”

“H3 subtypes are relatively uncommon,” he adds. “That means fewer people have built up immunity. There is also evidence they spread more easily and mutate faster, which makes them harder for vaccines to keep up with.

“What we are seeing now is the outcome of that: cases rising sharply earlier than usual, with numbers likely to climb further as winter goes on.”

How Does Super Flu Differ From The Usual Variety?

Broadly speaking, flu falls into three main groups, A, B and C, according to Professor Ed Hutchinson from the Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. “Types A and B are the ones that make people seriously ill each winter. Influenza C circulates too, but it rarely causes severe disease. They are related, but not closely enough that immunity to one protects against the others,” he explains.

The concern is not that the virus has suddenly become far more deadly. Many people will catch it and recover without major problems. “The issue is scale,” Hutchinson says, as reported by The Telegraph. “When a virus spreads widely, even a small proportion of severe cases quickly adds up. That is what puts pressure on individuals and on the NHS.”

Last week, around 1,700 flu patients were in hospital, a 63 per cent increase on the previous week and more than 50 per cent higher than the same period last year. This rise is partly linked to a particularly aggressive subtype of the circulating H3N2 virus. “This strain is appearing earlier and spreading faster than we would expect, and immunity levels in the population are lower than usual for this stage of the season,” says Dr Aslam.

Is The Flu Shot Effective Against Super Flu?

Recent figures suggest the flu vaccine cuts the risk of hospital admission by roughly 30 to 40 per cent in older adults. That protection rate is lower than for some other vaccines, but it is in line with flu vaccine performance in past years. For that reason, advice has not changed. Vaccination remains the single most effective step people can take to protect themselves and to ease pressure on the NHS.

Why Does The Vaccine Have Different Effectiveness In Different Age Groups?

This season’s vaccines are still doing a solid job of preventing severe illness. Vaccinated children are about 70 to 75 per cent less likely to need a hospital visit or admission for flu. Among adults, the reduction is closer to 30 to 40 per cent.

One reason for this gap is the type of vaccine used. Children receive a nasal spray, while adults are given an injection. Research shows the nasal spray works particularly well in children but is less effective in adults, which is why different recommendations exist. So the comparison reflects not just age, but also different vaccines.

Another factor is prior immunity. Adults have encountered many flu viruses over their lifetime, so the added benefit of each new vaccine dose may be smaller than it is for a child. Even so, that extra protection still matters and can make a real difference.

A medical expert has revealed that you might be able to tell which winter illness you’re dealing with just by the type of cough you have. According to Dr. Rupa Parmar, a GP and medical director at Midland Health, coughing can present differently depending on whether you have a cold, flu, or COVID-19. During the winter months, certain infections become more common. Viruses spread more easily in cold weather, and spending more time indoors with others makes transmission more likely.

Still, it can be tricky to identify exactly what’s wrong because symptoms often overlap. Dr. Parmar advises: “There are some key differences between a cold, Covid, and flu that make it easier to tell them apart. But if you’re unsure, always check with your doctor. It’s better to be safe when it comes to your health.”

Cold and Flu

Dr. Parmar explained: “A cold usually causes a mild cough, while a flu cough is typically dry.” According to the NHS, cold symptoms develop gradually over two to three days. In contrast, flu symptoms “come on very quickly,” with a dry cough being a key sign.

Covid

Covid can also cause a dry cough, but it is usually persistent. Dr. Parmar said: “Covid tends to trigger a dry, continuous cough. Many people cough for over an hour at a time or have three or more coughing episodes in a single day.”

The NHS defines this as: “A new, continuous cough—meaning you’re coughing a lot for more than an hour or have three or more coughing episodes within 24 hours.”

What Is ‘Super Flu’?

NHS officials are warning that the UK may be facing an unusually severe flu season. Cases have started a month earlier than usual, driven by a stronger strain of the influenza A(H3N2) virus, sometimes being called “super flu.” Despite its intensity, vaccines remain effective against this strain, offering protection to those who get immunized.

Other Key Covid Symptoms

Other signs of Covid to watch for include:

• High temperature—you may feel hot, cold, shivery, or notice heat on your chest or back (you don’t always need a thermometer)
• Loss or change of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling very tired or drained
• Body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Loss of apetite
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

The NHS warns: “Covid symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses like colds or flu. Most people recover within a few weeks, but some may take longer. If you have a cough, pharmacists can offer guidance on treatment.”

If You Have Covid

The NHS advises staying at home and avoiding contact with others if you or your child:

• Have a high temperature
• Do not feel well enough to attend work, school, childcare, or daily activities
• You can resume normal activities once you feel better or no longer have a high temperature.

The much-feared “winter vomiting disease,” commonly known as norovirus, is once again spreading rapidly across the United States.

Norovirus is an extremely contagious stomach virus that triggers sudden and intense episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone who has had it knows how abruptly it strikes. You can feel normal one moment and then find yourself completely incapacitated by stomach distress the next. With the holiday season nearing and people gathering indoors, norovirus infections are climbing nationwide.

Winter Vomiting Disease In The US

Data from WastewaterSCAN, a program that tracks disease levels through municipal wastewater, shows that norovirus activity is currently classified as “high” across the U.S., with a sharp rise over the past three weeks. Marlene Wolfe, Ph.D., a professor at Emory University and director of WastewaterSCAN, told TODAY.com that the upward trend is clear and concerning.

At present, the highest levels are being recorded in the Midwest, the South, and the Northeast. States reporting notable spikes include Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

In Bedford, Massachusetts, an elementary school shut down for two days this week after more than 130 students were absent with stomach-related symptoms, prompting officials to suspect a norovirus outbreak, according to NBC10 Boston. Cruise ships are also seeing a rise in outbreaks, with norovirus spreading quickly among passengers at sea.

This year’s increase appears to be arriving slightly earlier than usual and is likely linked to a newer strain of the virus, which drove a particularly severe 2024–2025 season. Last winter, norovirus cases reached their highest levels in more than a decade.

Norovirus GII.17 Variant

Since the early 2000s, most norovirus outbreaks have been linked to a strain known as GII.4, according to previous reports from NBC News. Roughly a decade ago, another strain called GII.17 first appeared in Asia and has expanded significantly in recent years. During the 2024–2025 season, GII.17 accounted for 75 percent of norovirus outbreaks in the U.S., compared with less than 10 percent in 2023, a CDC study found.

“When a new strain appears, it can spread very quickly,” Roberts says. “That is exactly what happened last year.”

Experts are unsure whether GII.17 spreads more easily than GII.4. However, they say more people may be vulnerable because they lack immunity to this newer variant.

Infection with norovirus does offer some level of immune protection, but it is incomplete, Schaffner explains.

“We do not know how long that immunity lasts,” Roberts says. “And it likely does not protect you against a different strain.”

If a large portion of the population is susceptible, the virus may have more opportunities to circulate widely. How this season unfolds remains uncertain.

Winter Vomiting Disease: Norovirus Symptoms

“This is not a subtle illness,” Roberts says. Symptoms typically appear suddenly, usually within 12 to 48 hours of exposure.

Some common signs of norovirus are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach pain and cramping

Some people may also experience a mild fever, chills, or headache, according to the CDC.

“The good news is that it does not usually last long,” Schaffner says. “Most people feel terrible for about two days, then recover.”

In most cases, symptoms resolve on their own within one to three days.

However, the virus can cause significant fluid loss, increasing the risk of dehydration. Certain groups face a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization, including children under 5 and adults over 85.

Medical care should be sought if symptoms continue beyond a few days, if there is blood in vomit or stool, or if signs of dehydration appear, such as dizziness or dark urine, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Winter Vomiting Disease: Norovirus Treatment

There is no medication that directly treats norovirus. Care focuses on managing symptoms through rest and fluid replacement, Roberts says. Drinks that replenish electrolytes can be helpful.

“It is better to take small sips,” Schaffner advises. “Drinking too much at once can make vomiting worse.”

In more serious cases, intravenous fluids may be necessary to prevent dehydration. Anyone with concerns should contact a health care provider, Schaffner adds.

There is currently no approved vaccine for norovirus, though a Moderna vaccine candidate is undergoing phase 3 clinical trials.

Winter Vomiting Disease: How Does Norovirus Spread?

“It is an especially troublesome virus because it spreads so easily and in so many ways,” Schaffner says. An infected person can release billions of virus particles through vomit or stool. “It only takes one to ten particles to cause an infection,” he notes. Norovirus usually spreads through the fecal-oral route, Roberts explains, when virus particles from feces make their way into the mouth, often via unwashed hands.

Some common ways how the virus spread are:

• Close contact with someone who is infected
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth
• Eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages
• Breathing in or swallowing particles released during vomiting

People are most contagious from the time symptoms begin until a few days after they feel better. However, the virus can continue to be shed in stool for up to two weeks after recovery, Roberts says.

Norovirus can survive on surfaces, objects, and foods for extended periods. Foods frequently linked to outbreaks include leafy greens, fresh produce, and shellfish, according to the CDC.

Does Hand Sanitizer Kill Norovirus?

Norovirus is especially difficult to eliminate. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers and cleaners are largely ineffective because the virus has a tough outer shell that alcohol cannot break down. “The only way to remove it from your hands is to physically wash it away,” Schaffner says. “Soap and water lift the virus off the skin and rinse it down the drain.”