Mystery lurgy sweeps across Britain as people complain they've never been so ill - 'Do NOT get this bug'

A mystery lurgy sweeping across Britain has resulted in millions having sick days.

Many Brits have reported feeling “the most sick they have ever been” as colds, flu and Covid run rife.

Social media platform TikTok plays host to videos that have amassed over 94.8 million views using the hashtag #coldandfluseason.

Users of the app have captioned clips saying: “I’ve never been so ill in my life”.

Some have reported symptoms of Covid, but have not tested positive for the virus, while others have said they have not returned to work this year due to illness.

The wave of winter illnesses can be attributed to a combination of factors, according to health experts, such as cold temperatures, more indoor mixing, less mask wearing and little attention to ventilation and hand hygiene.

INEOS Hygienics found 40% of the public admit to neglecting hand hygiene habits following the pandemic, while 56% confess to regularly forgetting to wash or sanitise their hands after coughing, sneezing or touching a contaminated surface.

Many members of the public have taken responsibility for their illnesses
PA Features Archive/Press Association Images

Forty per cent of people in the UK have blamed themselves for their condition, with 37 per cent blaming their illnesses on care-free socialising, poor hand hygiene (26 per cent), poor diet (19 per cent), and excess alcohol (16 per cent) in the run up to and over the festive period.

The research suggests around 2.8 million Brits were forced to cancel their Christmas, while New Year’s plans were scrapped for nearly 3 million.

An estimated 8.1 million people were left with little option but to take the first week of the year off work as a result of their suffering from sickness bugs.

Health chiefs have reiterated advice to wear face masks in order to reduce the spread of winter illnesses.

Some health experts have called for a return to mask wearing
Aaron Chown

The country is currently facing a shortage of cold and flu medicines such as Calpol and Lemsip, exacerbating the situation further.

Fran Millar, CEO of INEOS Hygienics, claims half washing could also help with keeping people healthy.

She said: “Over three quarters [79%] of Brits fear falling sick again this winter. So, if handwashing fatigue has set in in your household, it’s worth remembering that just 30 seconds of it regularly can help mitigate feeling under the weather for weeks.

“With reports of hospitalisations on the rise and increased pressure on the NHS, we need to act quickly to help protect ourselves and the people around us.

“Keeping our hands clean and sanitised is one of the most effective routes we can take to prevent getting sick and stop the spread of viruses and bacteria.”