Many Brits have reported coming down with a nasty Covid-like illness - despite not testing positive for the virus that has dominated the past two festive seasons.
Stories have been sweeping social media of nasty coughs, blocked noses and headaches in recent weeks as people report their symptoms, with many expressing surprise that they have tested negative for Covid despite feeling under the weather. While cold and flu have always been more common in winter and reports of the "worst lurgy ever" often resurface each year - including last year - that hasn't stopped people from sharing their experiences as they're hit with the latest wave of bugs.
TV writer Daran Little posted on on Twitter: "Anyone else down with something that feels like Covid but isn't?" And the tweet quickly racked up more than 30,000 likes on the social media platform, as hundreds of people commented that they had experienced something similar in recent weeks.
"Just getting over 4 weeks of headache, earache and general flu like symptoms," one person shared. "Wasn’t Covid, actually felt far worse than when I had Covid. It totally wiped the whole family out, horrid!"
Another Twitter user wrote: "5 weeks now - not a chest infection according to doctor but viral infection. No let-up and it never seems to be better, everyday is just the same and it’s so draining."
"Same honestly I’ve got the worst cough imaginable that’s been ongoing for two weeks with no signs of improvement," a third person shared. "The worst."
Someone else commented: "I woke up Saturday morning with a tickly throat, but I didn't think much of it and continued going about my day. Within a few hours I developed a headache, a few hours after that I was really pale and by that evening I had developed a cough. I didn't even cough when I had Covid."
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."
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