Beware as ‘brutal’ virus that ‘lasts for weeks’ and is ‘worse than any other winter bug’ sweeps the UK
BRITS are falling sick with a ‘brutal’ illness, which feels worse than other winter bugs.
People left bedridden with the unknown bug, have reported experiencing extreme flu and cold-like symptoms for weeks on end.
It comes as a surge in respiratory infections is sweeping the population, including new highly transmissible Covid variant and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
One unwell person shared their experience on Reddit, saying: “Just coming off the back end of a brutal cold that’s lasted about 3 weeks.
“My sinuses have been almost completely closed, relaxing only for brief periods while also producing mucus at an alarming rate.”
They added: “It still feels like somebody poured Ready Brek into the back of my face, but it’s finally over and life is beautiful again.”
The HV.1 strain, an offshoot of Omicron, currently accounts for around a quarter of all Covid infections across the US, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr Phillip Gould, a virologist from Coventry University, said the strain, dubbed the “grandchild of Omicron” will already be making its way around the UK.
“This new variant is becoming dominant in North America,” he previously told The Sun.
“With global travel, it will have already entered the UK many times,” he added.
Experts believe the new variant is very contagious but no more dangerous than previous variants.
Another sick user, said: “I’m just emerging from it now, bloody awful, almost like flu.”
And one more chimed in, saying: “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.
“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.”
Another person added: “Currently on day five of it. Feel absolutely lousy. So much mucus it’s ridiculous.”
Doctors are finding that Omicron symptoms are changing.
The illness’ past telltale signs, like the loss of sense of taste or smell, a hacking cough, and shortness of breath have become less common.
Now, medics have found the bug affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and voice box.
Dr Erick Eiting, from Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York, US, told NBC News: “It isn’t the same typical symptoms we saw before.
“It’s a lot of congestion, sometimes sneezing, usually a mild sore throat.”
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures suggest Covid infections have begun to rise after falling from
There were 4,179 new cases of Covid reported in England in the week up to November 18, according to the latest data.
This shows a six per cent increase from 3,933 during the previous seven days.
The Zoe Covid Symptom Study, which collects data on self-reported symptoms in the UK, said the five most common symptoms currently are:
These are:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fatigue (mild or severe)
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
Meanwhile, cases of RSV have risen by 12 per cent from 10.99 cases on November 6 to 12.51 cases on November 13, UKHSA data suggests.
RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms in adults and older children.
These may include:
- Congested or runny nose
- Dry cough
- Low-grade fever
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Headache
In young children and vulnerable people, the virus can be very dangerous.