06 January 2024 , 12:13
1054
0
Jeremy Clarkson has warned that the illness he has been suffering is being ignored by people and that this could lead to 'serious problems' in the future.
The 63-year-old former Top Gear presenter, who has gained much acclaim for his Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm, has said that he has been experiencing a runny nose and persistent cough since mid-December and has warned that it could be another Covid-19 type illness.
He has said that despite taking a number of over-the-counter medications, he hasn't felt any better and cannot see him feeling well any time soon. Jeremy has stated that he fears he is suffering from a version of whooping cough. Writing about his experience, Jeremy has said: "I cough myself to sleep at night, my nose is like a tap, and every morning I produce about a pint of phlegm. I’ve tried everything. Pills. Lemsip. Sitting in front of a roaring fire watching Slow Horses."
Jeremy Clarkson is fearing that people are ignoring the illness he is suffering (Getty Images)The NHS states that whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It has been advised that babies and children are vaccinated against it and the infection spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems. In his column with The Sun, Jeremy wrote: "It seems I’m not alone. Doctors are saying that, across the country, thousands of others are suffering too from what’s become known as 'the 100 day cough' or as it used to be called 'whooping cough' - an infection he believed had died out several years ago."
There is data that shows a rise in whooping cough cases with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stating that there had been 716 suspected cases of whooping cough in England and Wales from early July to the end of November last year, compared with 217 in the same period in 2022. The agency added that Covid-19 is likely the reason why pertussis cases have increased.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Jeremy highlighted that nearly 300,000 people, mostly children, die every year from the infection across the globe and wonders why nothing is being done. He added: "And what fascinates me is that no one is paying much attention to the outbreak here."
Fortunately for his farming business, Jeremy has managed to continue working despite the illness with him wondering whether he has been suffering with a heavy cold instead. With tongue in his cheek, Jeremy added: "Either way, it’s not the end of the world, because if I do become really ill, I can always see a doctor at my local hospital. No, hang on a minute."