The Evolution of AI in Clinical Decision Support for Acute Care
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents THE ADOPTION GAP: 70% of physicians cited difficulties integrating AI with existing systems as a barrier to adoption, and only 19% reported that AI supported clinical decision-making in their organisation. Introduction: Acute Care Needs More Than Artificial Intelligence 92.5% general and acute bed occupancy in Q4 2025/26. 70% of physicians cited difficulties integrating AI with existing systems as a barrier to adoption. 65% identified poor interoperability, 73% raised concerns about AI errors, and only 19% reported that AI supported clinical decision-making in their organisation. By April 2026, the NHS App was connected to every acute NHS trust in England, with around 41 million registered users and 64% of hospital appointments visible through the app. The numbers, at a glance: Metric Figure General and acute bed occupancy (Q4 2025/26) 92.5% Physicians citing AI integration difficulties as a barrier 70% Physicians identifying poor interoperability 65% Physicians raising concerns about AI errors 73% Physicians reporting AI supported clinical decision-making 19% NHS App registered users (April 2026) ~41m Hospital appointments visible through the NHS App 64% These figures highlight the challenge: hospitals need connected clinical systems, accessible patient information, effective patient portals and appropriate NHS App integration to support safe, coordinated acute care. The NHS 10 Year Health Plan sets an ambition for hospitals to become fully AI-enabled within the plan’s lifetime, alongside a wider shift from analogue to digital care. At Cellma, we align with this direction by supporting a connected approach to healthcare information, clinical workflows and digital access. The future of AI and clinical decision support system technology depends not only on algorithms, but also on reliable data, interoperable systems, clinical safety and technology that fits the way healthcare teams work. Why Acute Care Needs Connected Clinical Decision Support Acute care teams make time-critical decisions every day. When a patient arrives at A&E, clinicians may need to review medical history, current observations, medication, allergies, previous investigations and information from other care settings. They also need to coordinate assessments, referrals, transfers, bed allocation and discharge. When this information is held across systems that do not communicate effectively, staff may have to switch between screens, search for missing details or repeat administrative tasks. This can make handovers harder and delay access to the information needed for clinical review. An AI and clinical decision support system can help clinicians interpret relevant information, identify potential risks and support decisions when appropriately designed and implemented. However, its usefulness depends on the quality, completeness and accessibility of the underlying data. AI cannot reliably compensate for information that is missing, outdated or inaccessible. The Royal College of Physicians’ January 2026 findings reinforce the point. Alongside integration and interoperability barriers, physicians reported concerns about clinical errors, liability, model drift, bias and explainability. Safe implementation therefore requires clinical oversight, suitable governance, staff training and clear accountability, not simply the introduction of another digital tool. The Role of the NHS App and Patient Portals Patient access is another part of the connected care picture. The NHS App gives people access to services such as appointment information, prescriptions, test results and patient records. NHS England reported in April 2026 that around two-thirds of hospital appointments were visible through the app, with patients at every acute NHS trust in England able to access referral and appointment information. A connected patient portal can complement this national access by giving patients an appropriate digital route to information and services offered by their healthcare provider. Depending on implementation, this may include appointment details, selected health information, communications and access to relevant records. For acute care providers, the goal is to reduce avoidable information gaps between patients, clinicians and services. IMPORTANT NOTE: Patient portals and NHS App integration are not interchangeable: integration with the NHS App requires NHS onboarding, NHS Login where applicable, and compliance with the relevant standards for accessibility, usability, clinical safety and data privacy. Secondary-care appointment integration may also involve the Patient Care Aggregator, known as Wayfinder. When planned around clinical and operational requirements, patient-facing digital services can form part of a wider approach to connected care. They can sit alongside the clinical information and workflows that support assessment, communication and care coordination. What NHS Interoperability Means in Practice Interoperability is the ability of systems to exchange information and use it across organisational and software boundaries. For acute care, this means making relevant information available to authorised professionals when and where it is needed. An AI and clinical decision support system also depends on data being exchanged in a consistent, secure and usable format. NHS England identifies standards and services that support this exchange. Depending on the use case, relevant requirements and integrations can include: Standard / Service What It Supports FHIR UK Core and HL7 Standards supporting structured healthcare data exchange and interoperability REST APIs and NHS API standards Approaches for connecting digital services and exchanging data GP Connect Enables authorised staff to access specified GP clinical information across systems, subject to access rules and the relevant implementation Spine services Including the Personal Demographics Service (PDS) and Summary Care Record (SCR), where appropriate to the use case SNOMED CT Structured clinical terminology for recording clinical information ICD-10 and dm+d Standards used for disease classification and medicines and devices terminology, respectively, where applicable NHS number and ODS codes Supporting patient identification and organisation identification in relevant workflows CIS2 and role-based access control (RBAC) Relevant to secure access and identity management in NHS environments NHS App integration standards Requirements for eligible patient-facing services, including privacy, accessibility, usability and clinical safety MESH and other approved messaging or data-exchange routes Where required by the relevant NHS service and integration design IMPORTANT NOTE: Not every system requires every interface. The correct integration scope depends on the clinical use case, the sending and receiving systems, information governance, technical specifications and national service onboarding. NHS England advises that systems should use agreed APIs and FHIR UK Core where appropriate, alongside relevant
Clinical Communication in Acute Care | Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents THE PRESSURE IN NUMBERS: In August 2026, England recorded approximately 2.34 million A&E attendances, with only 75% of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, against the 78% target. In August 2026, England recorded approximately 2.34 million A&E attendances, with only 75% of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, against the 78% target. The same month, an average of 2,973 patients a day experienced corridor care across emergency departments and other hospital areas. Meanwhile, only 64% of hospital appointments were visible through the NHS App in April 2026. These figures highlight the pressure on acute services and the need for connected patient records, accessible digital patient portals and integration with the NHS App to support communication across the care pathway. NHS England The numbers, at a glance: Metric Figure A&E attendances in England (August 2026) ~2.34m Patients seen within 4 hours 75% (target 78%) Patients a day experiencing corridor care (Aug 2026) 2,973 Hospital appointments visible via NHS App (Apr 2026) 64% The NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England sets out three strategic shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. Cellma aligns with this direction by supporting connected clinical information, digital patient access and interoperability across healthcare services. As the NHS moves towards a Single Patient Record accessible through the NHS App from 2028, healthcare providers need technology that can exchange information securely and support continuity across organisational boundaries. NHS 10 Year Health Plan Why Clinical Communication Matters in Acute Care A patient’s journey rarely stays within one department. Someone arriving at A&E may need assessment, diagnostic investigations, specialist input, admission, transfer to a ward and, eventually, discharge with follow-up in the community. At every stage, the next team may depend on information recorded by someone else. That could include presenting symptoms, allergies, medication, observations, investigation results, clinical decisions, referral details or discharge instructions. When information sits in separate systems, staff may need to search across applications, make repeated phone calls or ask patients to explain their history again. Important details can be difficult to locate, and handovers may take longer than expected. Clinical communication in acute care is therefore about more than sending a message. Information must reach the right people, remain accessible when needed and support the next clinical or operational action. For busy NHS teams, this means connecting the systems behind: A&E and emergency departments (ED) Inpatient services and ward management Specialist teams and referrals Admissions, transfers and bed management Discharge planning and community care Clinical documentation and operational reporting The aim is to give authorised staff the information they need without adding unnecessary steps to already pressured workflows. Cellma: A Connected Platform for Acute Care Cellma is an AI-powered EHR/HIMS platform designed to bring patient information and healthcare processes together within the wider Cellma Ecosystem. Rather than treating registration, clinical documentation, referrals, bed management and discharge as isolated activities, Cellma connects related information and workflows across the patient journey. For acute care providers, this supports a more connected digital environment in which teams can access relevant patient information, manage pathway activity and maintain visibility of the steps that follow an admission or clinical decision. Cellma can support the wider requirements of clinical communication in acute care through capabilities including: Capability What It Does Connected patient records Keep relevant clinical information linked to the patient record Admissions and bed management Support visibility of patient movement, transfers and bed-related processes Referral management Help teams track referral activity and the next stage of the pathway Discharge workflows Connect discharge activity with relevant patient information and onward-care processes Reporting and analytics Bring clinical and operational information together to support service-level visibility Patient portals Provide digital access to appropriate health information and services, subject to configuration and integration requirements These capabilities help address the practical challenge facing acute services: keeping information connected while patients move between departments, teams and care settings. Interoperability: Connecting Systems Across the NHS A connected platform must also work within the wider NHS digital environment. Hospitals use different clinical, administrative and national systems, and replacing every application is rarely a realistic option. Interoperability allows information to be exchanged between systems while maintaining appropriate controls over access, meaning and security. Relevant NHS integration capabilities and standards include: Standard / Integration What It Supports HL7 and FHIR Support structured exchange of healthcare information FHIR UK Core and Care Connect Provide UK healthcare data models and implementation guidance where applicable REST and Open APIs Enable systems to exchange information through defined interfaces NHS Spine services Support relevant national services and patient-information exchanges, subject to interface and access requirements PDS and SCR Support appropriate patient-demographic and summary-care information exchanges GP Connect and MESH Enable relevant information-sharing and messaging workflows EPS and e-RS Support electronic prescription and referral pathways where applicable CIS2 and role-based access Support identity, authentication and controlled access within the relevant NHS environment IMPORTANT NOTE: The appropriate interfaces depend on the service, deployment, technical scope and NHS approval requirements. Not every interface is required or enabled in every implementation. For clinical communication in acute care, interoperability is important because a referral, discharge summary or clinical update may need to move beyond the originating department. Connected systems can reduce reliance on manual re-entry and help authorised teams access relevant information through established workflows. Security, Governance and NHS Requirements Interoperability must be supported by strong information governance. Clinical information is sensitive, and sharing it across services requires clear access controls, accountability and appropriate technical safeguards. Cellma’s security and compliance framework includes relevant controls and standards such as: Standard / Control Purpose ISO 27001 Information security management Cyber Essentials Plus Independently assessed cyber-security controls NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) NHS data security requirements UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 Personal-data protection Role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication and audit trails Support controlled access and accountability DCB0129 and DCB0160 Clinical-risk management
The Role of Cellma in Patient Flow and Bed Management
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents THE PRESSURE POINT: 92.5% general and acute bed occupancy in Q4 2025/26 – with 94,737 of 102,423 beds occupied. 92.5% general and acute bed occupancy in Q4 2025/26. 94,737 of 102,423 beds occupied. 95.7% adult general and acute bed occupancy in the first week of January 2026. 75% of A&E patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours in August 2026, against a 78% operational target. 140,000+ A&E patients waiting more than 12 hours in the same month. 13,815 patients medically fit for discharge but still in hospital in January 2025. 6.1 days average delay per patient. Around 324,000 lost bed days in one month. The numbers, at a glance: Metric Figure General and acute bed occupancy (Q4 2025/26) 92.5% Beds occupied 94,737 / 102,423 Adult G&A bed occupancy (first week of Jan 2026) 95.7% A&E patients seen within 4 hours (Aug 2026) 75% (target 78%) A&E patients waiting 12+ hours (Aug 2026) 140,000+ Medically fit for discharge, still in hospital (Jan 2025) 13,815 Average delay per patient 6.1 days Lost bed days in one month ~324,000 NHS App registered users 39M+ NHS App monthly logins 62.3M Secondary-care appointment views per month ~13M Meanwhile, the NHS App had 39M+ registered users, 62.3M monthly logins and around 13M secondary-care appointment views each month, showing the scale at which digital access is already part of the patient journey. The direction of travel is clear. The NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England is built around three major shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. For acute trusts, this means patient flow cannot be managed only inside the ED or wards. It requires better links between A&E, SDEC, inpatient teams, discharge teams, community services, virtual wards, primary care and patients themselves. Patient flow and bed management in acute care therefore needs connected data, real-time visibility and digital tools that support the whole pathway rather than isolated departments. Acute Flow Is More Than Finding an Empty Bed When an ED is full, the problem is rarely just a lack of beds. An ambulance handover may be delayed because there is no capacity in the ED. Patients may then wait in corridors. Admissions can queue because there are no staffed ward beds. Ward teams can struggle to discharge patients because community or social care support is not ready. That delays the next admission. The cycle continues. This is why patient flow and bed management in acute care has to look beyond bed numbers. The NHS has maintained general and acute bed occupancy above 90% continuously since September 2021. Sustained occupancy above 92% is already regarded as a pressure point for safe and effective flow, yet actual demand continues to push beyond this level. Delayed discharge makes the problem worse. In 2025, around 12,906 patients per day were reported as medically fit for discharge but remained in hospital. Delays can arise from the availability of social care, rehabilitation, reablement, community services, equipment, assessments or suitable accommodation. For acute trusts, every delayed discharge has a knock-on effect: A bed that cannot be released cannot be used for the next patient → A patient waiting for admission occupies ED capacity → ED crowding increases ambulance delays → Staff spend more time coordinating information manually → Clinical teams have less visibility of what is happening elsewhere in the pathway The result is not simply an operational problem. It becomes a patient-safety issue. The NHS Is Already Moving Towards Connected Care The NHS 10 Year Health Plan places greater emphasis on hospital-to-community care, neighbourhood health services, virtual wards, same-day emergency care and better discharge pathways. The Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2025/26 reinforces this direction through the Home First and discharge-to-assess approach. Acute trusts are expected to improve daily discharge performance, including Pathway 0 discharges, while working with local authorities and community services across Pathways 1–3. This changes what an acute-care digital system needs to deliver. A PAS or EPR cannot operate as a standalone repository of patient information. It needs to support the movement of patients through the system. That means connecting: ED and A&E SDEC and ambulatory care Inpatient wards Bed management teams Admissions and transfers Discharge planning Community and intermediate care Virtual wards Primary care Referrals Pharmacy and diagnostics Patients and carers Operational and clinical teams This is where Cellma fits. Why Cellma for Patient Flow and Bed Management? Cellma is an AI-powered EHR and HIMS designed to connect clinical, operational and administrative processes across healthcare settings. For acute providers, the value is not simply having another digital record. It is having one connected environment through which patient information, activity and workflows can move with the patient. Cellma brings together capabilities across PAS, EMR, scheduling, referrals, clinical documentation, e-prescribing, pharmacy, communications, billing, document management, business intelligence and patient-facing services. This creates a stronger foundation for patient flow and bed management in acute care, because teams can work from connected information instead of relying on separate systems, phone calls, spreadsheets, paper notes or repeated data entry. From Admission to Discharge A patient journey can involve multiple teams within a short period. The patient may arrive through ED, move to SDEC or an inpatient ward, require investigations, receive treatment, transfer between teams and eventually move to community or home-based care. Cellma supports this journey through connected PAS and clinical functionality. Teams can access relevant patient information, record activity, manage appointments and referrals, document clinical care and support discharge processes within the same wider ecosystem. This matters on the ground: Role What They Need Bed manager To know what beds are available Ward team To know which patients are ready for discharge ED team Visibility of admission capacity Discharge coordinator To know whether the next step is home, rehabilitation, reablement, community care or another service Clinician The right clinical information at the point of decision-making Connected information helps these teams work from the same picture. Interoperability
Breast Cancer: Know the Signs, Risks and Screening Options
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer develops when abnormal cells in the breast begin growing and dividing uncontrollably, eventually forming a tumour. These cells can develop in different parts of the breast, including the milk ducts and milk-producing lobules. Some breast cancers remain within their original location, while invasive cancers can spread into surrounding tissue, lymph nodes or other parts of the body. There is not just one type of breast cancer. Different types are classified according to where they begin and the characteristics of the cancer cells. Ductal and lobular cancers are among the better-known types, while less common forms include inflammatory breast cancer and Paget disease of the breast. And here is something important: FACT CHECK Q: Can breast cancer affect men too? A: Yes. Although breast cancer is much more common in women, men can develop it too. WHO estimates that approximately 0.5–1% of breast cancers occur in men. How Common is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer is a major global health concern. The global picture According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated: Measure 2024 Figure Women diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide 2.4m Women who died from the disease 694,000 Women living with breast cancer (end of 2024) 8.2m Countries where it was the most common female cancer 164 of 186 The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates recorded 2,296,840 new breast cancer cases and 666,103 deaths worldwide in that year. What about the Caribbean? The Caribbean faces a significant cancer burden too. CARPHA reported that in 2020, breast cancer accounted for 27.4% of all cancers diagnosed among Caribbean females, while an estimated 5,874 Caribbean women died from breast cancer that year. Country-level data also shows the burden. GLOBOCAN 2022 estimated: Country Cases Share of Female Cancers Trinidad and Tobago 570 29.1% Jamaica 1,327 35.0% The figures are a reminder that breast cancer is not simply a global statistic. It affects families and communities across the Caribbean. Why does this matter? Because access to awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment all influence what happens after a breast change is noticed. Having convenient access to healthcare services can make it easier to move from concern to consultation. CELLMAFLEX TIP: With Cellmaflex, people can search for healthcare professionals and other services nearby, including laboratories and imaging facilities, and book appointments online. What Causes Breast Cancer? There is no single cause behind every breast cancer. Breast cancer develops when changes occur in breast cells that affect how they grow and divide. Over time, some of these changes can produce abnormal cells which may multiply uncontrollably. But does having one risk factor mean you will develop breast cancer? FACT CHECK A risk factor increases the likelihood of developing a disease; it does not guarantee that the disease will occur. Some people develop breast cancer without an obvious risk factor, while others may have several risk factors and never develop it. Factors associated with an increased risk can include: Age, with risk generally increasing as people get older A family history of breast cancer Certain inherited genetic changes, including changes in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 Previous breast cancer or certain breast conditions Previous radiation exposure to the chest, particularly at a young age Certain reproductive and hormonal factors Physical inactivity Excess body weight, particularly after menopause Certain forms of hormone therapy These factors do not mean cancer is inevitable. They simply help healthcare professionals understand an individual’s risk and determine whether additional monitoring or screening may be appropriate. CELLMAFLEX TIP: If you are concerned about your personal or family history, you can use Cellmaflex to find a healthcare professional and arrange an appointment to discuss your risk. Breast Cancer Symptoms: What Changes Should You Check? Here is where awareness becomes practical. Would you recognise a breast change that needs medical attention? Possible breast cancer symptoms and warning signs can include: A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit A change in breast size or shape Dimpling or puckering of the skin Changes in the nipple, including pulling inward or a change in appearance Nipple discharge that is not breast milk, particularly if it contains blood Persistent pain or swelling Redness, darkening or other changes in the appearance of the breast Swelling of part or all of the breast, even when there is no obvious lump FACT CHECK Q: Does a breast lump automatically mean cancer? A: No. Many breast changes are caused by conditions that are not cancer. However, that does not mean an unusual change should be ignored. A new, unusual or persistent change should be assessed by a healthcare professional so that the cause can be properly investigated. CELLMAFLEX TIP: If you notice something concerning, Cellmaflex can help you locate a nearby healthcare professional and book an appointment online. 5. Know Your Breasts You do not need to become an expert in breast anatomy. The important thing is to become familiar with what is normal for you. Breasts naturally vary in shape, size and texture. They can also change over time because of factors such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age, weight changes and medications. So, rather than looking for one specific “warning sign”, pay attention to changes that are unusual for you. FACT CHECK Q: Is a breast self-examination enough to rule out cancer? A: No. Being familiar with your breasts can help you notice changes, but self-examination is not a substitute for recommended screening or professional assessment. Early breast cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms at all. If something feels different, do not wait for it to disappear simply because it is not painful. Notice it. Take it seriously. Speak with a healthcare professional. CELLMAFLEX TIP: When you are ready to arrange that consultation, Cellmaflex can help you find care and book online. Breast Cancer Screening What if breast cancer could be detected before you noticed any symptoms?
The Right Modern Primary Care PMS for Efficient, Scalable GP Delivery
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents THE PRESSURE, IN NUMBERS: In July 2026, 63.2 million patients were registered with GP practices, while the number of full-time equivalent GPs stood at just 29,057. Primary care is managing more patients, more appointments and more routes into care than ever. In July 2026, 63.2 million patients were registered with GP practices, while the number of full-time equivalent GPs stood at 29,057. That is 307 fewer FTE GPs than in September 2015, while the number of patients per FTE GP reached 2,176 – 12.3% higher than in 2015. GP practices also recorded 34.9 million appointments in July, including 6.7 million clinically urgent appointments. The numbers, at a glance: Metric Figure Patients registered with GP practices (Jul 2026) 63.2m Full-time equivalent GPs 29,057 Fewer FTE GPs than Sept 2015 -307 Patients per FTE GP 2,176 Increase in patients per GP vs. 2015 +12.3% GP appointments recorded (Jul 2026) 34.9m Clinically urgent appointments 6.7m With demand and workforce pressures moving in different directions, effective primary care management increasingly depends on connected digital systems that can bring patient access, clinical information, appointments, referrals and follow-up into one coordinated environment. The NHS 10-Year Health Plan sets out three major shifts: hospital to community, sickness to prevention, and analogue to digital. This direction places greater emphasis on neighbourhood-based, multidisciplinary and digitally connected care. For primary care organisations, the technology supporting that model needs to connect people, information and processes across the patient journey. Where Cellma Fits Into Primary Care Cellma is an integrated EHR, PAS and healthcare management platform designed to connect the different activities involved in delivering care. Rather than treating appointments, patient records, referrals, clinical documentation and reporting as separate functions, Cellma brings them together within a connected digital environment. For primary care teams, this can mean managing: Patient registration and demographics Appointments and scheduling Clinical documentation Referrals and referral tracking Prescriptions and medication information Care plans and follow-ups Patient communications Patient-facing digital services Reporting and business intelligence Population health information Administrative workflows This gives primary care management teams a broader operational view while allowing clinicians to work with the information relevant to the patient in front of them. Cellma Connects the Patient Journey A patient’s journey rarely ends with a GP consultation. A patient may move from a GP to a pharmacist, community service, specialist team or another healthcare professional. Each transition creates a need for relevant information to move with the patient. Cellma is designed to support this connected journey. A typical pathway can involve: Patient access → Appointment → Assessment → Clinical documentation → Referral → Treatment → Follow-up → Reporting Each stage can be supported within the Cellma ecosystem. For example, an appointment can be recorded alongside the patient’s clinical information. A referral can be created and tracked. Clinical notes can be documented digitally. Follow-up activity can remain visible to the appropriate teams. The result is a more connected foundation for primary care management, rather than a collection of disconnected administrative tasks. CellmaPatientPortal Brings Patients Into the Digital Journey Digital access is now an important part of primary care. The NHS App provides patients with access to a growing range of digital services, while NHS guidance places increasing emphasis on online journeys and patient-facing services. CellmaPatientPortal extends this digital approach by supporting functions such as: ✓ Appointment booking ✓ Prescription-related access ✓ Medical history ✓ Patient messaging ✓ Access to relevant health information ✓ Digital requests and communication RioMed also states that CellmaPatientPortal can integrate with the NHS App, supporting a connected route for patients to access records, book appointments and manage aspects of their care. For primary care providers, this creates an opportunity to move routine patient interactions into digital channels while keeping those interactions connected to the underlying patient record. That matters because patient-facing technology should not sit separately from primary care management. The digital front door needs to connect with the systems used by staff behind it. Interoperability Is Built Into the Cellma Approach Primary care does not operate in isolation. NHS England states that interoperability is the ability for people and systems to work across software and organisational boundaries with minimal human intervention. It also states that new general practice systems must be interoperable. Cellma is designed around this requirement. Its interoperability approach includes support for: FHIR and HL7 for healthcare data exchange REST/Open APIs for system-to-system connectivity GP Connect for appropriate GP information-sharing use cases NHS Spine services Personal Demographic Service (PDS) Summary Care Record (SCR) Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) e-Referral Service (e-RS) CIS2 MESH SNOMED CT NHS and PRSB-aligned information standards NHS England identifies FHIR as a key technology for making integration with APIs and services easier, while GP Connect enables authorised users and systems to share and view GP information for direct patient care. This is important for primary care management because interoperability is not simply an IT feature. It affects how information moves between teams and how much manual work is required to transfer, locate or re-enter information. From Patient Record to Day-to-Day Workflow Cellma is not limited to storing patient information. It supports the operational processes around that information. Appointment Management Cellma provides appointment and scheduling capabilities to help teams manage availability, bookings, clinics and patient attendance. Digital access can also allow patients to interact with services without every request requiring manual intervention from reception teams. Referral Management Referrals can be recorded and tracked as part of the patient’s digital journey. Teams can maintain visibility of referral activity, relevant clinical information and follow-up requirements rather than treating each referral as an isolated administrative task. Clinical Documentation Cellma supports digital clinical documentation and structured patient records. This provides clinicians with a central place to record relevant information during consultations and across subsequent interactions. Communication Cellma supports communication between healthcare teams and patients through integrated digital functions. This can include patient messaging and other communication workflows, helping keep relevant information within the
Your Health Guide to Causes of a Common Cold
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents The common cold may seem like a simple inconvenience, but anyone who has battled days of sneezing, congestion, or a scratchy throat knows how disruptive it can be. Every year, millions of people worldwide experience this viral infection, missing work, cancelling plans, and feeling drained. Most cases of the common cold are mild, but its prevalence makes the cold one of the top three reasons that people go to the doctor for advice each year. It is here that tools like Cellmaflex are a source of support, providing patients with fast access to a local doctor, local pharmacy, local laboratory, and local imaging services to answer questions/concerns quickly and provide support without causing any unnecessary stress. With Cellmaflex, you can book your appointments online without any phone call, view your medical records at any time and at any location, and locate care options (such as hospitals and urgent care centres) quickly. In this blog, we will explore what is a common cold , what causes it, how it spreads, what to look for when experiencing symptoms, who is likely to get it, when to seek medical assistance, and how Cellmaflex can provide you with a better option when you are in need of care. What Is the Common Cold? The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, primarily affecting the nose and throat. More than 200 viruses can trigger it, with rhinoviruses being the leading culprits behind most cases. Understanding the causes of common cold is essential for prevention, especially since the infection is so widespread and easy to transmit. Globally, upper respiratory infections, including the common cold, remain the most widespread illnesses, with an estimated 12.8 billion episodes in 2021. Children face the highest burden, with 6–8 colds per year, while adults experience 2–4. Rhinoviruses are responsible for nearly 50% of all cases. These infections also contribute to missed school and workdays, emphasising the need to understand the causes of a common cold and seek timely care. With Cellmaflex, you can quickly find doctors, pharmacies, labs, or imaging centres nearby and book appointments online ensuring support when cold symptoms strike. How It Spreads Understanding common cold causes includes recognising how easily cold viruses move from person to person. The primary mode is respiratory droplets – tiny particles released when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even talks. These droplets can land on surfaces like: Mobile phones Door handles Desks Tablets and electronics Once transferred to your hands, the virus can enter your body when you touch your face, especially the eyes, nose, or mouth. Using Cellmaflex during cold and flu season helps you avoid unnecessary exposure in crowded waiting rooms by allowing you to book online consultations or locate nearby providers quickly and safely. Signs of a Cold Most colds start with some form of a tickle in the throat, a cough, or some sneezing, and usually take a few days for the virus to reach its peak level of replication. Some of the common causes of cold viruses create a distinct inflammatory response, leading to the following symptoms: Runny or congested nose, Throat is sore and irritated, Sneezing, Mild to moderate headaches, Coughing, Low-grade fevers (especially in children), Some general fatigue. These symptoms generally peak between the second and third day and tend to eventually improve. Should your symptoms persist or worsen, Cellmaflex is able to locate a doctor or pharmacy near you that can assist with the appropriate treatment options. Common Cold vs. Influenza: What’s the Difference? Because both illnesses affect the respiratory system, many people confuse the common cold with influenza, but understanding the difference helps you take the right action at the right time. While the causes of common colds are linked to more than 200 mild viruses like rhinoviruses, influenza is caused specifically by influenza viruses (Types A, B, and C), which tend to produce more intense and sudden symptoms. Simplified comparison – Common Cold Influenza (Flu) Gradual onset Sudden onset Mild symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, mild fatigue) Severe symptoms (high fever, body aches, chills, strong fatigue) Usually mild and self-resolving Can lead to serious complications like pneumonia Lasts 7–10 days Lasts 1–2 weeks, fatigue may linger Spreads through droplets and surfaces Spreads faster and more aggressively during peak seasons Who Gets It Most? Anyone can catch a cold, but some groups are more vulnerable due to the causes of the common cold and how immunity develops: Children Children’s immune systems are still maturing, which means they’re not yet adept at recognising and fighting off viruses as older people do. In addition, kids share their germs in many ways (at home, in the classroom and on the playground) and so have a higher probability of being exposed to more strains of cold viruses. Parents Parents have frequent contact with children, so they tend to catch more colds than other adults. People in crowded environments Offices, public transport, schools, and events increase contact with respiratory droplets. Individuals with weakened immune systems Chronic illnesses, stress, and fatigue can reduce the body’s defence against the causes of common cold. Cellmaflex ensures that these groups, especially parents or individuals with chronic conditions, can quickly access their medical records and find nearby providers without delays. When Should I Consult My Physician? Most colds resolve in 7–10 days, but medical evaluation is necessary if: The patient experiences any symptoms lasting greater than ten (10) days; The patient develops a high and/or persistent fever; Severe pain in the sinuses; Difficulty in breathing; or Symptoms that suddenly worsen. These could indicate complications like sinusitis, ear infection, or pneumonia conditions not caused by the typical causes of the common cold but triggered by secondary infections. If you notice any warning signs, Cellmaflex lets you immediately locate doctors and book appointments online. No waiting rooms. No phone calls. Just fast, reliable access to care. Take Action: Your Health, Your Control While the causes of common cold are mostly unavoidable due to how common these viruses are, simple steps help reduce risk: Wash hands frequently Avoid touching your face Keep distance from those with symptoms Stay hydrated and get enough sleep But staying informed is the biggest defence. And with Cellmaflex, you’re never alone in your health journey. Whether you need to find a pharmacy for symptom relief, schedule a virtual or in-person appointment, locate a nearby lab, or review your medical history, Cellmaflex
Employee Health Management System: Modern OH with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents THE SCALE OF THE CHALLENGE: 1.9 million workers experienced work-related ill health in Great Britain in 2024/25, with 40.1 million working days lost as a result. 1.9 million workers experienced work-related ill health in Great Britain in 2024/25. 964,000 reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety. 511,000 reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders. 40.1 million working days were lost to work-related ill health and workplace injuries. Stress, depression and anxiety alone accounted for 22.1 million days lost. The numbers, at a glance: Metric Figure Workers with work-related ill health (2024/25) 1.9m Reported stress, depression or anxiety 964,000 Reported musculoskeletal disorders 511,000 Total working days lost 40.1m Days lost to stress, depression & anxiety alone 22.1m These numbers put pressure on occupational health (OH) teams to manage assessments, referrals, appointments, clinical notes, recommendations and return-to-work (RTW) plans efficiently. At the same time, employees increasingly expect convenient digital access to appointments, health information and communications. This makes a connected employee health management system, supported by a patient portal and aligned with the wider NHS digital ecosystem, increasingly relevant to modern occupational health. Occupational Health Is Moving Beyond Paper and Standalone Systems Occupational health sits at the intersection of clinical care, workforce wellbeing and workplace operations. An OH team may deal with pre-employment assessments, health surveillance, sickness absence, workplace injuries, vaccinations, referrals, functional assessments, fitness-for-work reviews and RTW recommendations, often while coordinating with HR, managers, GPs and other healthcare professionals. The challenge is not simply recording this information. It is making sure the right information is available to the right professional at the right time, with appropriate access controls and a clear audit trail. This is where a modern employee health management system can make a practical difference. Aligning with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan The NHS 10 Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, sets out three major shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. It also places technology, connected information and digital access at the centre of future healthcare delivery. For occupational health, these principles have a direct relevance. Prevention starts before an employee reaches a point of prolonged absence. Digital records can support earlier identification of workplace health concerns, while connected systems can help OH professionals coordinate assessments, referrals and follow-up. The NHS is also developing the Single Patient Record (SPR), with NHS England expecting people to start viewing their SPR information through the NHS App from 2028. The SPR is designed to connect information across care settings and support safer, faster and more coordinated care. For OH services working within or alongside NHS organisations, this direction reinforces the need for systems that are interoperable, secure and built around connected records. Why Occupational Health Needs a Connected Digital Approach A typical OH journey can look like this: Referral → Appointment → Assessment → Clinical Notes → Advice → Workplace Recommendations → RTW Plan → Review → Closure When every stage is handled through separate spreadsheets, emails, paper forms or disconnected applications, teams can spend significant time chasing information. Common day-to-day challenges include: Multiple systems for employee and clinical information Manual appointment and referral tracking Repeated data entry Difficulty finding previous assessments Delays in communicating recommendations Limited visibility of outstanding cases Managing confidential clinical information separately from HR information Tracking sickness absence and RTW activity Generating reports for workforce and service management Maintaining complete audit trails Supporting remote and hybrid consultations Coordinating information between OH, primary care and other services A modern employee health management system needs to address these operational realities rather than simply digitising a paper form. Where Cellma Fits Cellma is an EHR and healthcare management platform designed to bring clinical, administrative and operational information into a connected digital environment. For occupational health, this means OH teams can manage key activities within one structured system—from appointments and assessments to referrals, clinical records, recommendations, reviews and RTW activity. Instead of treating every interaction as a separate task, Cellma can support the employee journey as an ongoing record. Digital Occupational Health Records OH professionals need more than basic demographic information. They need access to relevant assessments, clinical notes, referral information, recommendations, previous consultations and follow-up activity. Cellma provides structured electronic records that can help OH teams maintain a longitudinal view of the employee’s occupational health journey. Assessments and Health Surveillance Occupational health involves different types of assessments depending on the employee, role and service. Cellma can support structured clinical documentation for: ✓ Pre-employment assessments ✓ Fitness-for-work assessments ✓ Health surveillance ✓ Workplace health assessments ✓ Functional assessments ✓ Management referrals ✓ Clinical reviews ✓ Return-to-work assessments This gives clinicians a consistent digital environment for capturing relevant information. Referral and Case Management A referral may come from HR, a line manager, another healthcare professional or an internal OH pathway. With Cellma, referrals can become part of the employee’s digital clinical record rather than remaining as isolated emails or documents. OH teams can track the case through assessment, recommendations, follow-up and closure. That creates a more structured employee health management system for day-to-day case management. Appointments and Follow-Up OH services manage high volumes of appointments across different clinics, professionals and locations. Cellma’s appointment and scheduling capabilities can support: ✓ New assessments ✓ Follow-up appointments ✓ Reviews ✓ Referrals ✓ Remote consultations ✓ Clinic scheduling ✓ Appointment reminders ✓ Waiting-list management This helps teams maintain visibility of what is booked, what is outstanding and what requires follow-up. Patient Portal for Employees The employee does not have to be left out of the digital journey. A patient portal can provide a secure route for employees to interact with the service, depending on the configured workflow and organisational requirements. Potential use cases include: Appointment information Digital communications Relevant forms Health information Follow-up interactions Access to appropriate information This supports the wider NHS direction towards digital access. The NHS App already enables users to manage services such as appointments, prescriptions and access to health information,
Bronchitis Explained: What Your Persistent Cough Could Mean
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Have you ever had a cough that seemed to stay long after your cold was gone? Or wondered why your chest feels uncomfortable and you are bringing up mucus? Could it be more than just a common cold? You may find the answer in this blog. With CellmaFlex, getting healthcare support can be more convenient. You can: ✓ Find nearby doctors, pharmacies, laboratories and imaging services ✓ Book appointments online without making phone calls ✓ Access your medical records anytime and anywhere In this blog, we’ll explore what acute bronchitis is, what causes it, its symptoms, who may be more at risk, how acute and chronic bronchitis differ, treatment options, bronchitis prevention, and when it may be time to seek medical advice. What is Acute Bronchitis? Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the airways that carry air into the lungs. It often develops after a respiratory infection and can cause a persistent cough. Because it commonly follows a cold or similar infection, acute bronchitis is sometimes called a “chest cold.” But how is it different from chronic bronchitis? FACT CHECK Acute bronchitis is generally temporary and usually gets better as the underlying infection resolves. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a long-term condition associated with ongoing airway inflammation and is commonly linked with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A cough can therefore be more than an inconvenience. Paying attention to how long it lasts and whether other symptoms develop can help you decide when to seek medical advice. Globally, around 5% of adults experience acute bronchitis each year, with reported incidence reaching 54 cases per 1,000 people. Around 85%–95% of acute bronchitis cases in otherwise healthy adults are attributed to viruses. In the Caribbean, a systematic review of primary healthcare encounters in Trinidad and Tobago found that 0.6% were attributed to acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis. Broader regional respiratory-infection data also highlight the burden of respiratory illness across Caribbean populations. What Causes Acute Bronchitis? In most cases, acute bronchitis is caused by viruses. It can develop after a cold, influenza or another respiratory infection. The airways can also become irritated by exposure to cigarette smoke, second-hand smoke, air pollution, dust, chemical fumes and other respiratory irritants. QUICK QUESTION Q: Does mucus automatically mean you need antibiotics? A: Not necessarily. Acute bronchitis is usually viral, so antibiotics generally do not help against the underlying cause. A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether another condition or treatment needs to be considered. Avoiding respiratory irritants is also an important part of bronchitis prevention, particularly for people who are regularly exposed to smoke, dust or chemical fumes. What Are the Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis? The symptoms can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include: Persistent cough, with or without mucus Fatigue Sore throat Chest discomfort Wheezing Shortness of breath Mild fever or chills FACT CHECK Q: Is a cough the only sign of bronchitis? A: No. A cough is the most recognisable symptom, but fatigue, wheezing, chest discomfort and other respiratory symptoms can occur too. CELLMAFLEX TIP: If symptoms are affecting your daily activities or are becoming worse, CellmaFlex can help you locate a nearby healthcare provider and book an appointment online. Who is More at Risk? Acute bronchitis can affect anyone, but some people may be more vulnerable to respiratory infections or complications. These include: Young children Older adults People with weakened immune systems Smokers and people exposed to second-hand smoke People frequently exposed to air pollution, dust or chemical fumes Reducing exposure to avoidable irritants, practising good respiratory hygiene and staying away from people when you are infectious can all support bronchitis prevention. FACT CHECK Q: Does cold weather directly cause bronchitis? A: Not exactly. Acute bronchitis is commonly caused by respiratory viruses. However, respiratory infections can spread more easily in certain settings, and cold-weather periods often coincide with increased circulation of respiratory viruses. Acute vs. Chronic Bronchitis: What is the Difference? The names may sound similar, but acute and chronic bronchitis are not the same. Acute Bronchitis Chronic Bronchitis Duration Usually temporary Long-term condition Cause Often follows a viral respiratory infection Commonly associated with COPD Course Usually resolves as the illness improves Requires ongoing medical management Symptoms Cough is a common symptom Persistent respiratory symptoms can occur Remember: A cough that keeps returning or does not improve should not simply be ignored. A healthcare professional can assess whether it is acute bronchitis or another respiratory condition. How is Acute Bronchitis Treated? Because most cases are viral, treatment generally focuses on managing symptoms while the body recovers. This may include: ✓ Getting adequate rest ✓ Drinking enough fluids ✓ Managing symptoms as advised by a healthcare professional ✓ Avoiding cigarette smoke and other respiratory irritants MYTH OR FACT? MYTH: Antibiotics are always needed for bronchitis. FACT: Most acute bronchitis cases are caused by viruses, against which antibiotics do not work. However, symptoms can sometimes indicate another infection or condition. A healthcare professional may recommend further assessment or treatment when appropriate. CELLMAFLEX TIP: If you need medical advice, CellmaFlex lets you find doctors nearby and book an appointment online, without needing to make a phone call. How Can You Prevent Bronchitis? Not every case of acute bronchitis can be prevented, particularly when respiratory viruses are circulating. However, several everyday habits can help reduce your exposure to infections and respiratory irritants. Wash Your Hands Regularly Hand hygiene can help reduce the spread of respiratory infections, especially after coughing, sneezing or being in shared public spaces. Practise Respiratory Hygiene Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissues appropriately. Avoid Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke Cigarette smoke can irritate the respiratory system. Avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke is an important part of bronchitis prevention. Reduce Exposure to Irritants Where possible, limit exposure to dust, air pollution, chemical fumes and other substances that can irritate the airways. Stay Home When You
Ambulatory Care Management with Cellma | Connected Care
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents 27.4 million A&E attendances in 2024/25. More than 140,000 people use urgent and emergency care every single day. These numbers show the sheer scale of pressure across the NHS — and why ambulatory care management needs more than individual digital systems. 27.4M A&E attendances in 2024/25 140,000+ people using urgent & emergency care daily 1 in 6 emergency admissions linked to ACSCs 48% rise in ACSC admissions, 2001–2013 £1.42bn estimated annual NHS cost of ACSCs 39M+ registered NHS App users The NHS App recorded 62.3 million logins in November 2025 alone and supported 6.6 million hospital and secondary-care appointment views that same month. It needs connected records, referrals, appointments, clinical information and patient-facing services that work across settings. This direction aligns with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, which sets out three major shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. The plan also places the NHS App at the centre of a more digitally connected NHS, with patients expected to book appointments, communicate with professionals, share information and access services digitally. What Is Ambulatory Care Management? Ambulatory care is broader than just Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC). It covers care where patients can receive assessment, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or follow-up without necessarily requiring an overnight hospital stay. This can include: Outpatient services Assessment and treatment without an overnight stay. Community care Support delivered closer to where patients live. Specialist clinics Targeted expert assessment and treatment. Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Rapid assessment, diagnosis and treatment on the day. Ambulatory Emergency Care (AEC) Urgent care managed without admission. Diagnostics Tests and investigations across the pathway. Rehabilitation Ongoing recovery and functional support. Chronic disease management Continuous care for long-term conditions. Neighbourhood & home-based care Care delivered in local, familiar settings. Follow-up & preventative services Keeping patients well after treatment. SDEC is an important part of this model. NHS England describes SDEC as care where appropriate patients are assessed, diagnosed and treated on the same day rather than being admitted to a ward. But the wider challenge is bigger: how do you keep the patient’s journey connected when care moves between different teams, services and locations? That is where effective ambulatory care management becomes essential. Why Does Ambulatory Care Need Connected Digital Systems? A patient may start with a GP, move to diagnostics, attend a specialist clinic, receive community support and return for follow-up. The care may be connected clinically. The IT systems may not be. Teams can face familiar problems: Patient information sitting in different systems Referrals that are difficult to track Appointment information spread across platforms Repeated data entry Limited visibility of previous assessments Delays in getting the right information Difficulty tracking follow-ups Limited service-level reporting Patients having to contact multiple teams for updates For frontline teams, this can mean more time spent searching, checking, calling and chasing. For patients, it can mean a less joined-up experience. Ambulatory care management needs a digital platform that connects the pathway — rather than adding another isolated system. The NHS App and the Patient Portal: Bringing Patients Into the Journey Patient access is now a key part of digital healthcare. The NHS App already has more than 39 million registered users, showing the scale of digital patient engagement. NHS plans also position the App as a digital front door, with patients expected to manage appointments, communicate with professionals and access health information. For ambulatory services, this creates an important opportunity. A patient portal can support activities such as: Appointment information → Referral updates → Patient communications → Forms and information → Follow-up With appropriate integration, patients should not have to navigate disconnected digital journeys simply because their care crosses organisational or service boundaries. Cellma supports patient-facing digital services through the Cellma Patient Portal, while its wider integration capabilities can support connected healthcare pathways. The goals are straightforward: The care team sees the right information. The patient sees the right information. Both stay connected to the same journey. Cellma: Built for Connected Ambulatory Care Cellma brings together the clinical and operational elements needed for ambulatory care management within one wider healthcare ecosystem. It supports: EPR/EMR Digital patient records and clinical documentation PAS Patient administration and scheduling Referral Management Track referrals and pathway activity Appointments Manage bookings and scheduling Clinical Workflows Support specialty-specific care Patient Portal Enable patient-facing digital services Document Management Keep clinical documents accessible BI & Reporting Monitor activity, workload and performance Communication Support information exchange across teams Community Care Support care delivered outside traditional hospital settings This matters because ambulatory pathways are rarely owned by one team. A referral may start in primary care. An assessment may happen in a specialist clinic. Diagnostics may happen in a diagnostic imaging centre or a laboratory. Treatment may take place in hospital, a community setting or through a same-day service. Follow-up may happen remotely or closer to home. Cellma keeps the information moving with the patient journey. Interoperability: Connecting Cellma to the NHS Ecosystem Good ambulatory care management cannot depend on one system operating in isolation. NHS England defines interoperability as the ability for people, systems and organisations to work across software and organisational boundaries with minimal manual intervention. NHS interoperability guidance also highlights the role of APIs and standards such as FHIR UK Core, alongside national services including the Spine, Patient Demographic Service (PDS) and Summary Care Record (SCR). Cellma supports interoperability through technologies and NHS integrations including: FHIR and HL7 Support structured data exchange between healthcare systems and services. Open APIs and REST Enable integration with external applications and healthcare platforms. GP Connect Support access to relevant GP clinical information for authorised care teams. NHS England describes GP Connect as enabling real-time sharing and viewing of GP clinical information between IT systems for direct patient care. PDS and
Influenza Uncovered: From First Symptoms to Recovery
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Ever wondered why the flu can leave you feeling completely exhausted one day, even if you felt fine the day before? Or whether you can tell influenza apart from an ordinary cold? You may know influenza as “the flu”, but there is more to this common respiratory infection than a cough and a few days in bed. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. And when you need medical advice, getting help does not always have to mean making a phone call. With Cellmaflex, you can: ✓ Find nearby doctors, pharmacies, laboratories and imaging services ✓ Book appointments online ✓ Access your medical records anytime, anywhere Whether you need to check your health history before an appointment or find a healthcare provider nearby, Cellmaflex keeps these options within reach. So, what exactly happens when influenza strikes? How does it spread? How can you tell it apart from a cold? And what does influenza treatment actually involve? Let’s find out. What is Influenza? Influenza is a viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat and lungs. It is commonly called the flu. Unlike the common cold, influenza often comes on suddenly and can cause more intense symptoms, particularly fever, chills, body aches, headache and fatigue. FACT CHECK Q: Is influenza just a more severe cold? A: Not quite. Both are respiratory infections, but they are caused by different viruses. Influenza is also more likely to cause a sudden onset of significant fever, body aches and fatigue. That does not mean every case of influenza will be severe. Many people recover without complications. However, some people are more vulnerable to serious illness. According to WHO, around 1 billion cases of seasonal influenza occur globally each year, including 3–5 million cases of severe illness and 290,000–650,000 respiratory deaths annually. Symptoms typically begin 1–4 days after infection and usually last around 1 week. In the Caribbean, influenza surveillance also shows substantial seasonal activity. During epidemiological week 49 of 2025, influenza positivity reached 18.7%. By epidemiological week 51, positivity had increased to 34%, while RSV positivity was 7% and SARS-CoV-2 positivity remained below 1%. And if symptoms start suddenly, Cellmaflex can help you quickly locate a nearby healthcare provider when you need professional advice. How Does Influenza Spread? One cough. One sneeze. One close conversation. That can be enough to put influenza into circulation. Influenza viruses mainly spread through respiratory droplets and particles released when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Close contact can increase the chance of transmission. Here is something many people do not realise: FACT CHECK Q: Can you spread influenza before you know you are sick? A: Yes. People can begin spreading influenza about one day before symptoms appear, and they are generally most contagious during the first three days of illness. That makes respiratory hygiene particularly important. Covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands and avoiding close contact when you are unwell can all help reduce transmission. What Are the Symptoms of Influenza? Think you have caught the flu? Your body may give you several clues. Common influenza symptoms include: Fever or feeling feverish Chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headache Muscle and body aches Fatigue and weakness Symptoms often appear suddenly rather than gradually. Some people may also experience vomiting or diarrhoea, particularly children. And remember: not everyone with influenza develops a fever. FACT CHECK Claim: “No fever means it isn’t influenza.” Verdict: False. Fever is common, but influenza can occur without one. If your symptoms are making you feel significantly unwell, do not rely on one symptom alone to decide whether you need medical advice. A healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether further testing or influenza treatment may be appropriate. CELLMAFLEX TIP: If you need to see someone, Cellmaflex can help you find a nearby doctor and book an appointment online. Who Is Most at Risk of Complications? Influenza can affect anyone, including otherwise healthy people. However, certain groups have a higher risk of developing serious complications. These include: Older adults Young children Pregnant women People with certain chronic health conditions People with weakened immune systems Conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease can increase the risk of serious flu-related complications. WHY DOES THIS MATTER? Because timing can matter. If you are in a higher-risk group and develop influenza symptoms, contacting a healthcare professional early can help determine whether influenza treatment is appropriate. Antiviral medicines can be particularly important for people at higher risk of complications. With Cellmaflex, you can search for nearby healthcare providers and book an appointment without needing to make a phone call. Influenza vs. Common Cold: Can You Tell the Difference? At first glance, influenza and a cold can look similar. Both can cause: cough + sore throat + runny nose + feeling unwell. But there are some clues. Influenza Common Cold Onset Often begins suddenly Usually develops more gradually Fever Fever is more common Fever is less common Body aches Can be significant Usually milder Fatigue Can be pronounced Often less severe Severity Can cause more serious illness Usually causes milder illness FACT CHECK Q: Does a runny nose automatically mean you have a cold? A: No. A runny or stuffy nose can occur with influenza too. Because symptoms can overlap, it may not always be possible to identify the infection based on symptoms alone. Testing may be appropriate in some situations, particularly when knowing whether someone has influenza could affect treatment or clinical decisions. CELLMAFLEX TIP: If you are unsure, Cellmaflex can help you find a nearby doctor or laboratory and make the next step easier. How Is Influenza Diagnosed? A healthcare professional may diagnose influenza based on your symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment. In some situations, a healthcare provider may recommend an influenza test. Testing can be particularly useful when the result