'Brutal' cold virus sweeps across UK and is 'worse than any winter bug'
A "brutal" cold that patients claim is worse than any winter bug is sweeping the UK this month, leaving sufferers bedbound for days and housebound for weeks.
The nasty virus has symptoms including fever, headaches, blocked noses, coughs, and fatigue. One person shared their experience on Reddit's r/CasualUK, saying: "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."
They added: "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 user agreed, saying: "I'm just emerging from it now. Bloody awful, almost like flu." And one more chimed in saying: "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."
A person said: "It's been a total b****rd, had me in bed for a couple of days and feeling s**t for a couple of weeks now. I can totally recommend Otrivine nasal spray for the blocked nose/sinus bit though."
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Brits have been experiencing a 'brutal' cold that lasts for weeks (Getty Images)One agreed saying: "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 is a new Covid variant could be true, but we do not yet know for sure. The NHS's 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's 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, reports YorkshireLive. 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.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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