In the winter months we become more vulnerable to seasonal illnesses such as colds and the flu.
The cooler temperatures and the fact we spend a lot more time indoors gives certain viruses the opportunity to thrive.
While these illnesses don’t typically last a long time, people across the UK have been complaining of a “brutal” cold-like illness that lingers for weeks.
Sufferers have shared their experience with the mystery virus online, reporting being bedbound for days and even housebound for weeks.
Some of the symptoms include fever, blocked nose, headache, fatigue and a cough.
Posting in the UK-based subreddit, r/CasualUK, one account @an_achronist explained: “Just coming off the back end of a brutal cold that’s lasted about three weeks, during which my sinuses have been almost completely closed, relaxing only for brief periods while also producing mucus at an alarming rate.
“Emerging from my bed this morning, I could breathe through my nose again.
“I could smell things. It still feels like somebody poured Ready Brek into the back of my face, but it’s finally over and life is beautiful again.”
In response, another poster agreed, adding: “I’m just emerging from it now. Bloody awful, almost like flu.”
As reported by YorkshireLive, @hoodman added: “I caught it in October, I was bedridden for days and then spent another week housebound, constantly looking at my phone to see if it had been four hours since my last dose of paracetamol.”
They theorised that the illness could be a strain of COVID-19.
“I’m assuming it’s a Covid variant that isn’t picked up by the tests, it was worse than any winter bug I’d had before 2020,” they said.
Poster @itchyfrog commented: “It’s been a total b*****d, had me in bed for a couple of days and feeling s*** for a couple of weeks now.
“I can totally recommend Otrivine nasal spray for the blocked nose/sinus bit though.”
And as part of the thread, @littlejane45 added: “Currently on day five of it. Feel absolutely lousy. So much mucus it’s ridiculous.
“Already feeling anxious about having to call in sick again tomorrow but I refuse to go back to work until I’m well enough.
“Won’t get thanked for going in and certainly won’t get thanked by colleagues if I spread this around. Just hoping I’m all clear for Christmas. Get well soon everyone.”
While it is not known exactly what this illness is, the symptoms shared on Reddit are the same as potential symptoms of Covid.
The UK saw another surge in cases this year following the arrival of two new variants, Eris and Pirola.
As descendants of the highly contagious Omicron strain, symptoms are thought to include headache, runny nose, fatigue, blocked nose, fever, cough and sore throat.
According to the NHS, symptoms of flu include:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick.
The health body’s official advice if you come down with any respiratory viral infection is to get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and drink a hot lemon and honey drink to soothe a cough.