The "worst cold ever" has hit the UK in recent weeks, and people have been complaining about the Covid-similar illness that has wiped them out for weeks.

Reports of the nasty illness starting in the south has now spread north with people saying it is taking days and in some cases weeks to recover.

Dr Philippa Kaye, a London GP, confirmed numbers of infectious diseases are much higher than is normal at this time of year.

She told the BBC: "We've actually been seeing a rise in the number of coughs and colds and viral infections.

"We are mixing in a way that we haven't been mixing over the past 18 months.

"During those first lockdowns, we saw numbers of other [non-Covid] infections fall. We think that that was primarily due to the restrictions on meeting up."

We asked south east London residents whether or not they have been hit by the illness, and if so what symptoms they've had.

Despite their suffering, many have had a number of negative coronavirus tests - leaving the illness to be nothing other than this year's "worst cold ever".

'Knocked me for six'

Sue Veness said: "First cold I had in 18 months & knocked me for six, kept going hot & cold, really bad headache, negative pcr test."

'Wiped me out'

Lucy Ashby said: "Yes, felt terrible for over a week and still bunged up now!!

"I had blocked nose and ears, on and off temperature, headache and zero energy at all. Wiped me out!!

"4/5 negative LF tests and a negative pcr test."

'Hacking cough that was so bad it caused me to be sick four days in a row'

Amy Manning said: "Felt like I had covid again for a little while but all tests came back negative. Sore throat, hacking cough that was so bad caused me to be sick 4 days in a row, head cold, fever, no energy, fatigue and then moved to my chest.

"Still struggling with the cough a week later.

"Can usually soldier on but spent 3 days in bed!"

'The feeling of just being unable to function was horrible'

Karen Jennings said: "Headache first then sandpaper throat and blocked nose.

"The feeling of just being unable to function was horrible.

"Thankfully getting better after 5 days but nose is still blocked."

'Feel completely wiped out'

Marion Mawbey said: "Started with sore throat, then head cold, chest infection still coughing and feel completely wiped out."

'Seemed to get it after a trip out to the cinema. I don't go out much. Definitely not good'

Tracy Ann said: "I thought it was COVID as I felt so bad past two weeks but test was negative. Throat red raw sore and body just aches. Hot one moment and cold the next. Seemed to get it after a trip out to cinema. I don’t go out much . Definitely not good."

'Seems the norm in my work place'

Louise Jones said: "Mines still lingering after 2 weeks and seems the norm in my work place at the moment!!"

'My lungs are so sore'

Stacey Froome said: "Yes I’ve had it 2 weeks and ended up on antibiotics. My Lungs are so sore! Cough, fever, headache felt like I had Covid again"

'Felt like I'd been hit by a bus for three days'

Holly Chapman said: "Honestly felt like I'd been hit by a bus for 3 days! And it took a few weeks to clear the constant coughing! Was hideous and I never wish to feel like that again!

"Was your standard cold symptoms but 100× worse!"

Is it a cold or Covid?

If you have any symptoms of the usual cold or flu, it is worth remembering tat these can also be a sign of coronavirus infection.

If you have a continuous cough or a fever you should get a PCR test.  

ZOE, the world's largest ongoing study into the virus, said: "A negative result from a lateral flow test is not reliable enough to be sure you're definitely not infected, so if your symptoms persist it's best to get a PCR test to be sure."

How to treat the illness

NHS guidance says you should treat a cold with:

  • rest and sleep
  • keep warm
  • drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is okay) to avoid dehydration
  • gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)

The NHS say you should see your GP if any of the following apply to you:

  • your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks
  • your symptoms get suddenly worse
  • your temperature is very high or you feel hot and shivery
  • you're concerned about your child's symptoms
  • you're feeling short of breath or develop chest pain
  • you have a long-term medical condition
  • you have a weakened immune system

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