This winter, a wave of “superflu” and other seasonal illnesses is sweeping across the nation, leaving a significant portion of the population feeling under the weather.

The situation has become so concerning that some NHS officials are now recommending that individuals exhibiting symptoms consider wearing masks to curb the spread.

New statistics released today underscore the gravity of the health crisis, showing a staggering 55% increase in flu-related hospital admissions over the past week alone.

The sharp rise has thrust the NHS into what it describes as a “worst-case scenario” for December. In the previous week, hospitals saw an unprecedented average of 2,660 daily admissions for flu, setting a record for this time of year.

Amidst the surge in illness, it’s crucial to know which medications can offer relief. In a prior discussion with the Mirror, an expert provided insights on the effectiveness of ibuprofen versus paracetamol.

Abbas Kanani, a superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, explained, “Paracetamol is likely more effective at reducing fever. It’s a bit of a double benefit—you alleviate your headache and lower your temperature simultaneously.”

“But if you feel that you have more body aches, that’s your main symptom, then ibuprofen is probably slightly better as it’s an anti-inflammatory.”

However, he cautioned users to be mindful of potential allergies to ibuprofen, which belongs to a specific class of drugs.

He also revealed that many people are unaware that they can actually take both medicines together when feeling particularly unwell.

“If you feel that one isn’t enough you can take ibuprofen as well as paracetamol, you can take them together. A lot of people don’t know that it’s not one or the other, you can put them together as they work in different ways.”

While these two medications can alleviate aches, pains and fevers, as well as mild cold and flu symptoms, Abbas notes that they won’t be particularly effective for those struggling with coughs and nasal congestion.

To address these specific symptoms, you’d need to utilise cold and flu products instead.

For example, medicines containing a decongestant would be ideal for a blocked nose, while an expectorant would be needed for mucus coughs and a cough suppressant for a dry, tickly cough.

However, when taking cold and flu medicines, always ensure to check the packaging and leaflet to see what other products can be safely taken concurrently.

While it’s possible to double up on paracetamol and ibuprofen, you may not be able to combine these with other medications.