A mysterious winter lurgy has spread throughout Greater Manchester leaving people wiped out and feeling “worse than Covid.” People have been reporting Covid-like symptoms such as cough and body aches, yet most are testing negative for the virus.
For some the illness has lasted for several weeks and is often particularly bad at night. Other symptoms include a high temperature, feeling lethargic and a tight chest.
Mancs have been sharing their experiences of this lurgy on our Facebook page. Many said that it has hit them harder than a Covid infection and is unlike the usual winter colds.
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“I have got it and it definitely is worse than when I had Covid,” Tony wrote. Terri added: “I’m the same. Covid never floored me like this has. Done a test and it was negative.”
Mike said: “For more than two weeks now I’ve felt worse than when I had Covid. Heavy chest, short of breath, headaches, body aches and a hacking cough.” Sarah added: “I’ve got what appears to be an awful cold or flu. Can’t smell or taste. Achy and nose and eyes streaming.”
Those who’ve come down with the illness have struggled to shake it off, with a lot of people finding it hard to sleep. “On week two now, never felt so bad. Worse at night,” wrote Tina.
“I’m on two and a half weeks. Not had a proper night’s sleep in that whole time and living off water and painkillers, doesn’t seem to be easing off at all,” Danielle added.
Have you experienced it? Have your say in our comments below.
Although some people said it’s more like a flu, others have experienced symptoms for up to three weeks and report that it’s far worse than the usual flu symptoms. Jackie said: “I am in to my third week it’s shocking how I feel.” Mel said: “Never have I experienced the flu like I have this weekend.”
Even those who have managed to get treatment are struggling to fight it. Annmarei wrote: “I was put on antibiotics yesterday, can’t seem to shake this off, I’ve had covid before and that was nothing to this my little one was in hospital yesterday and it was so busy all with the same symptoms.”
Colds, flu and respiratory illness are likely in the winter months, but health bosses say you should monitor your symptoms as more serious illness could require antibiotics. Earlier this week Bolton GP Dr Helen Wall said she believes the spike in illness is due to a number of factors.
She said: "I think it’s the triple whammy of returning to social mixing after restrictions so people's immune systems getting flexed, rise of previously quiet bugs due to lift in restrictions like flu and the cold weather and people not able to afford to stay warm.
She added lots of people were still wearing masks last December due to Omicron and mass events have only resumed this Christmas, which will have also had an impact.
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