Real reason everyone is sick right now - and why you can't seem to shift it

08 January 2024 , 16:57

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There's a reason people haven't been able to shift their cold and flu at the moment (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

January is here, and therefore, so are the dreaded January blues, it's safe to say pretty much everyone has been feeling the wrath of the blustery weather.

As well as battling the icy conditions, Brits seem to also be battling the flu at the moment, and it doesn't seem to be shifting either. If Covid isn't enough to worry about, the colds and viruses seem to be running rampant at the moment, and if you're currently feeling under the weather, you're not alone. It seems as if people are currently battling multiple colds and viruses at once - but why is this?

If you or a loved one have or had a cold over the festive period, Dr Chris Smith, a virologist from the University of Cambridge shared in a chat with the BBC that people could be dealing with one or more viral infections at once. He said: "We occasionally see people who are diagnosed with two, sometimes three, viral infections simultaneously."

It makes sense as many people have felt like they have been dealing with a cold that just won't budge - and the doctor explained it's likely people have "succumbed to several things either all at the same time or one after another like a domino effect." He further highlighted that people are in an "immunity debt" due to the lockdowns and the pandemic.

This was due to not being exposed to illnesses like we usually would be, and has resulted in our immune systems still "adjusting" to normal life and being back outside and socialising again. However, Dr Chris shared some positivity and revealed that Covid cases are "quite low down" on the list of viruses and illnesses impacting us this winter.

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If you are struggling with a common cold, it's best to keep wrapped up warm and hydrated as well as getting enough rest to let your body recover. Symptoms of a common cold according to NHS include:

• a blocked or runny nose
• a sore throat
• headaches
• muscle aches
• coughs
• sneezing
• a raised temperature
• pressure in your ears and face
• loss of taste and smell

There are also over-the-counter remedies and pain relief you can take to help ease symptoms, however, if your symptoms persist or worsen for three weeks or more, it's recommended to seek advice from your local GP. More information on the common cold can be found here.

Niamh Kirk