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A mutated 'super flu' is behind one of the UK's toughest flu seasons in years, with soaring cases hitting the NHS hard ahead of Christmas . The health service warned it is heading for an 'unprecedented' flu season, warning of a 'worst case scenario' situation for December.

It comes as an average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital in England each day last week, including 106 in critical care – up 55 per cent from 1,717 the previous week, when 69 were in critical care, according to the latest NHS figures.

But with colds and other common winter viruses also circulating widely, how can you tell which illness you're dealing with?

Common colds are caused by a number of viruses, with rhinovirus being 'the most common culprit', says Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London Genera

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