Sir Chris Whitty is calling on people to be more vigilant to avoid routine infections which can have devastating consequences for the elderly.

The Chief Medical Officer who became a household name during the Covid-19 pandemic, told a media briefing that as well as causing thousands of deaths in winter, the knock on impacts of a significant infection can be devastating with some patients left frail and housebound.

The Chief Medical Officer’s annual report on the state of public health in England outlined how common infections can increase older people’s risk of heart attacks, strokes and possibly even developing dementia.

• Chris Whitty warns infections in old age ‘increases heart attack and stroke risk’

• NHS boss reveals up to 8,000 people will be hospitalised with flu by next week

Sir Chris has also called on older adults to take personal steps to protect themselves from infections like colds, flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

It came on the same day the head of the NHS in England revealed flu will hospitalise more patients than ever before in the country by next week.

Professor Whitty told reporters: “There are a significant number of things that older people can do to reduce their risk of infections. And most older people are very good at thinking these through.

“A lot of them are common sense, things like reducing your risk by hand washing. Careful preparation of food is the very important one. Making sure that we encourage people who have recently had an infection themselves not to go and visit them until they’re completely clear of that.

“And I think another thing we need to do is make sure when someone has an infection in older age, that we take that seriously.”

Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, told its board meeting on Thursday that flu patients will take up between 5,000 and 8,000 hospital beds each day by next week. The previous high was at the peak of the last flu season in January when flu hospitalised 5,408 on average each day.

It comes as Britain is braced for its worst flu season on record as a new aggressive flu strain called H3N2 is causing more severe illness even in otherwise healthy people.

Professor Whitty pointed out a range of infections can increase risk to older people including bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream), urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pneumonia. He said the risk of stroke was “significantly” increased in the fortnight after infection and remained higher for up to a year afterwards.

Sir Chris said: “The great majority of deaths from infections are now in older adults. Infections can also cause strokes, heart attacks and reduce quality of life and independence in older people. We need to be much more systematic about preventing infections in older adults as we have done in children and young adults.”

It comes as two of the country’s top medics have outlined how next fortnight is crucial to avoid being ill over Christmas.

Immunity from vaccination takes a few weeks to build up after the jab. Getting vaccinated against flu, Covid-19 and RSV now maximises your immunity levels at Christmas.

Dr Thomas Waite, England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: “There's quite a bit of pressure from infection on the NHS but that again underscores the reason why, particularly now it is early December, this is the absolute best time to go out and get vaccinated, if you are eligible or your employer offers one.

“By Christmas you will be well protected and it will much reduce that risk of taking infection to elderly relatives who you may be visiting around that time.”

Professor Julian Redhead, NHS England's Medical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “With just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab."