A ‘brutal’ cold style lurgy is being reported across the UK – and it lasts for weeks.
Sufferers of the awful virus going around this month have reported being bedbound for days and ‘housebound for weeks’, unable to bring themselves to resume their daily lives.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, blocked noses, coughs and fatigue but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
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Posting in r/CasualUK, the poster @an_achronist: “Just coming off the back end of a brutal cold that’s lasted about 3 weeks, during which my sinuses have been almost completely closed, relaxing only for brief periods while also producing mucus at an alarming rate.
“Emerging from my bed this morning, I could breathe through my nose again. I could smell things. It still feels like somebody poured Ready Brek into the back of my face, but it’s finally over and life is beautiful again.”
Another poster agreed, adding: “I’m just emerging from it now. Bloody awful, almost like flu.”
And @hoodman added: “I caught it in October, I was bedridden for days and then spent another week housebound, constantly looking at my phone to see if it had been 4 hours since my last dose of paracetamol.
“I’m assuming it’s a Covid variant that isn’t picked up by the tests, it was worse than any winter bug I’d had before 2020.”
@itchyfrog said: “It’s been a total b****rd, had me in bed for a couple of days and feeling shit for a couple of weeks now.
“I can totally recommend Otrivine nasal spray for the blocked nose/sinus bit though.”
@littlejane45 concurred: “Currently on day 5 of it. Feel absolutely lousy. So much mucus it’s ridiculous. Already feeling anxious about having to call in sick again tomorrow but I refuse to go back to work until I’m well enough.
“Won’t get thanked for going in and certainly won’t get thanked by colleagues if I spread this around. Just hoping I’m all clear for Christmas. Get well soon everyone.”
One theory suggesting it’s a new Covid variant could be true, but we don’t yet know for sure. The NHS’ most recent report said a total of 11.7 million people in England have had the flu vaccine so far in 2023, with 8.6 million taking up another Covid booster, but millions more in vulnerable groups remain at risk.
The NHS’ official advice if you come down with any respiratory viral infection is to get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and drink a hot lemon and honey drink to soothe a cough.
Vitamin C is something a lot of people swear by but that’s better as a preventative. Once you have a cold, Zinc is a better supplement to fight it with.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
