NHS doctor shares five things you can do to beat mystery winter bug

An NHS doctor, who was recently laid low by a bug, has shared his top five tips for overcoming the illness. This comes after celebrities such as Kirstie Allsopp from Location, Location, Location and Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine reported being struck down with a similar ailment. Dr Max Pemberton, an NHS psychiatrist, revealed in the Daily Mail that he too had been affected by this seasonal sickness, along with several of his colleagues.

In his article, Dr Max wrote: "Despite all the advances of the past few decades, a cure remains elusive. So what works when you have one of these infections?

"I recommend rest, lots of fluids, paracetamol, Difflam spray to help sore throats and Lotil for chapped skin.

Also, some good old black and white films while tucked up on the sofa." TV host Kirstie Allsopp described her symptoms as a "chest infection/lurgy" unlike anything she had previously experienced. The 53- year-old presenter revealed that it had left her bedridden for several days, reports Surrey Live[3].

On Saturday night (December 14), she tweeted: "Day 5 in bed, which is unheard of for me, but it does mean I am home alone watching #StrictlyComeDancing Final, and it is such a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant show. So much inspiration and warmth."

Kirstie opened up in an online update about her resilience, saying she's an "all-weather gal" and that "nothing takes me down". Despite her determined spirit, she admitted that drawing the curtains and brushing her teeth was all she could manage in her battle against the illness.

She added: "Only time I was ever this ill was when I had very severe morning sickness with my youngest.

"It seems to have hit the celeb circuit particularly hard," she noted, disclosing that she is "desperately" trying to find a replacement for her in an upcoming Christmas carol concert due to the sickness.

Woman with sore throat (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Fans flooded Kirstie with messages of support during this challenging time. One sympathised: "Wow, I thought I was bad. I took to bed for one day after realising I was too sick to crack on.

Still not 100% but not as bad. Be well soonest." Offering advice, the NHS recommends rest, drinking water and hot lemon with honey, sleeping with an elevated head, and using painkillers for fever management for those suspecting a chest infection.

The NHS urges seeking medical advice if you are pregnant, over the age of 65, your symptoms worsen, or a cough persists for more than three weeks.

References

1. ^ M5 traffic: Motorway standstill as fire engines called to crash (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Alan Titchmarsh shares two-ingredient lunch he eats every day - with one element from his garden (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Surrey Live (www.getsurrey.co.uk)