This winter people across Bristol and the country have been reporting prolonged bouts of severe Covid-like symptoms despite testing negative for the virus. Dubbed the "worst winter lurgy ever", some of the symptoms reported anecdotally are coughs, headaches, blocked noses and sore throats.
The Telegraph recently reported that in the UK, more working days are currently being lost to flu, coughs and cold-related infections than Covid-19. Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia and adviser to the World Health Organisation, told the newspaper: “On average, many infections are probably more severe than normal because of waning protection against severe disease.”
However, he cautioned against alarm, saying, “But the three-year total is probably not any higher; it’s just that they are concentrated in the recent past.” In response to a post on the BristolLive Facebook page about the prevalence of 'winter 'lurgy' that feels like Covid but isn't', many Bristolians have described being similarly struck down by respiratory infections recently.
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Julie Ginnelly commented, “I had it for around three weeks, same time as covid, same symptoms, negative test, turned into a chest infection. Awful.”
Many of those commenting suggested that their recent experiences with winter bugs were worse than having Covid. Helen Bushell wrote, “I had Covid last October with no symptoms other than loss of taste and smell. This weekend I’ve been floored. Testing negative for Covid thou! It’s probably man flu.”
Likewise, Karen Chard said, “I have had covid, but this is far worse,” and Karen Box described her malaise as “ feel(ing) like covid. I just can't breathe…Just vile but testing negative.“
Some Bristolians currently suffering shared details of their symptoms. Helen Back wrote, “My head feels like it's going to explode. Sinuses hurt like hell. Can't sleep. Covid test was negative. Do heads actually explode? Mine is totally going to.”
Sophie Simon said her bout of illness, “Started with headache, temperature, achy body. Then ended up with a cough. Was absolutely horrid. Done loads of COVID tests. Negative. [Had] to have steroid tablets for my chest.”
Many commenters explained that they had been treated with antibiotics. Earlier this month some pharmacies in the city were reported to have run out due to a national supply issue. At the time, the National Pharmacy Association commented, "There has been a spike in demand for some antibiotics, including those used to treat Strep A infection in children."
Generally, people who suspected they had caught the 'winter lurgy' in Bristol described being struck down by winter bugs for several days. Commenting on the Bristol Live Facebook post, Faye Marie Denham said she “had it for 2 weeks”, while Rod M. Junior said, “Second week now. Shivers, cough, on/off fever and the nagging headache.” Angela Doolan agreed, “Yep! Still not fully recovered after 12 days. Washed right out!”
However, other people were more sceptical that the bug doing the rounds right now was worse than in other winters. Adam Fox commented, “I remember in ye times of olde we used to call it “The Flu” while Cher Marie Parry was incredulous and wrote, “It's winter, people!! Hello!!... Colds, flu bugs etc... same every year! Why is everyone acting surprised!????!!”
David Ebbs agreed, saying, “In years gone by people got the lurgy and just carried on doing the best they could, it was called having a ‘cold’” Meanwhile, Amanda Lawrence said she felt the perceived increase in cases of winter illness was because “everyone [has] been isolating so not picked up any bugs. It's just a cold.”
GP Dr Rob Barnett, secretary of the Liverpool Local Medical Committee, told the Liverpool Echo: "We always see an increase in colds and other winter illnesses at this time of year, but for most people, symptoms will get better without treatment, or with medicines readily available from local pharmacies, and they don’t need to see a GP.
"If you need advice on how to manage your symptoms at home, speak to your local community pharmacist. If your symptoms worsen and you don’t know what to do, call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk, they can direct you to the right care, and book you an appointment with a healthcare professional if needed.
"It's also important to be up-to-date with your Covid vaccinations, and if you’re eligible for the autumn booster and flu vaccines, book these as soon as possible to help you stay well this winter."
Common cold - advice from nhs.uk
You can often treat a cold without seeing a GP. You should begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks.
Check if you have a cold
Cold symptoms come on gradually and can 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
The symptoms are the same in adults and children. Sometimes symptoms last longer in children.
Telling the difference between cold and flu
How you can treat a cold yourself
To help you get better more quickly:
rest and sleep
drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is OK) to avoid dehydration
gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
A pharmacist can help with cold medicines
You can buy cough and cold medicines from pharmacies or supermarkets. A pharmacist can advise you on the best medicine.
You can:
ease aches or lower a temperature with painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
relieve a blocked nose with decongestant sprays or tablets
Decongestants should not be given to children under 6. Children aged 6 to 12 should take them for no longer than 5 days.
Be careful not to use cough and cold medicines if you're taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. Cough and cold medicines often also contain paracetamol and ibuprofen so it can be easy to take more than the recommended dose.
Some are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women.
There's little evidence that supplements (such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic) prevent colds or speed up recovery.
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