A mother has shared the five symptoms she and her daughter have endured after contracting what has been dubbed the super flu. The NHS is currently grappling with an “unprecedented flu wave”, with figures from December 11 showing “an average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week – the highest ever for this time of year and up 55% up on last week.”
Thousands of resident doctors are engaged in industrial action, with their five-day strike commencing on December 17 and scheduled to continue until December 22.
The mother has described her battle with the illness, calling it “no joke”, and has implored others to take every precaution to avoid catching it themselves.
Writing on Reddit, she branded the flu “horrible” and outlined the symptoms she has experienced, including a soaring temperature of 40° and above, as well as “splitting headaches”; “puking sick bowls full of phlegm”; “muscle and bone aches” and an “inability to eat anything other than ice lollies”.
She warned: “This flu is no joke! Both my daughter and I have caught the flu that’s been going around and I swear to God it’s horrible. Wash your hands, mask up, do whatever you can to avoid this!”
After finding herself unable to “look at the light” and get out of bed, she felt “frightened enough” to attend hospital, where she claimed she spent “12 hours in a chair” waiting for a doctor to determine whether to “keep [her] in or discharge [her]”. She revealed that she first contacted 111, who then referred her to the GP.
Her husband drove her to the appointment, where she described her symptoms: “I had to wear sunglasses with my hand shading my eyes the entire time, I couldn’t stay awake. The nurse said my pulse was extremely high, my temp was 40-something (can’t remember) and the photophobic element was making her very twitchy.”
Following further investigations by a doctor, she was advised to go to A&E and was given a referral letter. She explained: “I was referred to a doctor who after more investigations said to go to AandE, and sent me with a letter. Not my choice at all, but they were apparently initially concerned about possible meningitis due to the pulse rate, temps and photophobia.”
Describing the illness, she stated: “It’s not a bad cold, it’s absolutely evil!” A few days later, the mum is “on the mend” but “still sick”.
In response to this “unprecedented flu wave”, the NHS has issued guidance urging “eligible” individuals to consider getting the flu jab as a preventative measure.
Professor Julian Redhead, national medical director for Urgent and Emergency Care, expressed his concerns: “Today’s numbers confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter. Cases are incredibly high for this time of year and there is no peak in sight yet.”
He added: “The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks.”
If you suspect you have flu or any non-life-threatening ailments, it’s recommended to contact NHS 111 or utilise the 111 online service for advice on managing your symptoms. Reserve 999 calls strictly for emergencies.
Redhead added: “As always, use A&E and 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries, and with just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
