If you’ve noticed more people coughing around you lately, you’re not imagining it. Both COVID and flu are circulating across the UK.
According to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, COVID-19 is showing slightly decreasing activity levels compared to the previous week but is still circulating at medium levels.
Flu cases, meanwhile, are increasing – with the latest data suggesting cases among children and young adults are behind the rise.
Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, stated that it’s important to remember the simple steps we can take to protect ourselves against respiratory illnesses and issued the following advice.
“Anyone experiencing flu or COVID-19 symptoms, including high temperature, cough and feeling tired or achy, should try to minimise contact with others, particularly with those who may be vulnerable,” he advised.
“If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should consider wearing a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing of tissues in bins can reduce the spread of these illnesses, as can ensuring that indoor areas are well ventilated.”
With symptoms of flu, COVID and seasonal colds overlapping, it’s not always clear what’s behind that lingering cough. So how can you tell the difference? Here’s what you need to know.
Is my cough COVID?
A cough can be caused by various infections, ranging from a common cold to the flu or COVID.
“The only main difference usually is associated with symptoms,” says Amir Bhogal, superintendent pharmacist and director of Pyramid Pharmacy Group. “A cold usually tends to be congestion-related. Whereas flu tends to be more heavy on the fever, chills, aches and tiredness.
“COVID is, most commonly, everything all at once.”
To be certain, your best option is to take a test. They’re free on the NHS to those eligible for COVID treatment or can be purchased from Boots, Superdrug, Amazon and many other similar retailers.
While hospital admissions with COVID have risen since the summer, they still appear to be lower than this time last year. (UKHSA)
Bhogal also advises against ignoring a lingering cough or sore throat. “Anything longer than three weeks after symptoms have subsided – particularly if it’s associated with a hoarse voice – should be checked by a doctor,” he says.
“Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen many patients being told it was a long COVID cough, but some actually turned out to have whooping cough or a secondary bacterial infection.”
If your symptoms do point toward COVID, it’s worth knowing which variants are currently circulating, and whether they behave any differently from those we’ve seen before.
What are the latest COVID variants?
According to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, the most common COVID strains right now are XFG and NB.1.8.1 – otherwise known as the Stratus and Nimbus variants.
Last month, Stratus accounted for around 35% of sequenced cases, while Nimbus made up 11%.
So far, there’s no evidence to suggest these strains cause more severe illness than earlier variants. As the UKHSA points out, viruses mutate all the time, and most changes don’t make them more dangerous.
The most important step if you’re eligible is still to take up your seasonal COVID vaccination when offered, as this provides the best protection against serious illness.
If you don’t feel well enough to work, the advice is to stay at home if possible and avoid contact with vulnerable people. (Getty Images)
The difference between Stratus and Nimbus COVID strains
Both the Nimbus and Stratus variants started spreading more widely over the summer, with Stratus overtaking other strains to become the most common by July 2025, according to UK data.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has labelled both Stratus and Nimbus as “variants under monitoring.” That means scientists are keeping a close eye on them, but neither is thought to cause more serious disease than past versions of the virus.
Some reports have suggested Stratus may cause hoarseness, while Nimbus has been linked with what people describe as a “razor blade throat” – a sore throat that feels especially painful when speaking or swallowing.
While these symptoms haven’t been included in official NHS guidance, they highlight how COVID can affect everyone slightly differently.
Read more: COVID or flu? Here’s how to tell the difference
What are the latest symptoms of COVID for 2025?
COVID symptoms continue to overlap heavily with other respiratory infections, which makes them tricky to distinguish without a test.
According to NHS guidance, the most common symptoms include:
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High temperature or chills
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Loss of or change to your sense of taste and smell
While most people recover at home, anyone who is very unwell or has trouble breathing should seek urgent medical help.
There’s no evidence to suggest current COVID strains cause more severe illness than earlier variants. (Getty Images)
What to do if you have COVID
Not everyone will know straight away if their cough, sore throat or fever is COVID or something else. The NHS says the best guide is how unwell you feel.
If you develop a high temperature or don’t feel well enough to work or carry out normal activities, the advice is to stay home and avoid contact with others – especially anyone vulnerable.
If you can’t stay at home, the government’s Living with COVID guidance still applies. It recommends:
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Wearing a well-fitting mask in enclosed or crowded places
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Avoiding busy, poorly ventilated areas like packed trains or large events
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Exercising outdoors where possible
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Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
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Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser regularly
These steps help lower the risk of passing the virus (or any other winter bug) on to those around you.
Where to buy a COVID test
