'Horrific' illness spreading with symptoms that last up to six weeks
Many Scots are reporting suffering with a grim bug, with symptoms said to last as long as six weeks in some cases. Many are unsure as to what they are dealing with - having received negative Covid test results. Taking to Reddit to see if others are suffering, one user wrote: "Touching two weeks now that I've had this brutal chesty cough that just won't budge and makes it near impossible to get a decent night's kip cos every time I lie down, I just turn into a coughy machine antibiotics barely did a thing. Considering new lungs at this stage." [sic] A second shared their experience, adding that they "still don't have my full energy back for exercise" even two weeks after their illness came about. A third said: "Tested and tested and never got a positive Covid result...felt like a mad cold/flu hybrid. Honestly horrific." A fourth said: "Caught whatever is going round 6 weeks ago. Think this is me finally coming out the other side. It's been murder!" And a fifth claimed their partner "cracked two ribs with all the coughing". Symptoms vary from person to person with many listing the following: Dr Ron Cook, NHS 24's medical director told the Daily Record: "As we enter the spring season, it is not uncommon for respiratory illnesses such as coughs, colds, and flu still to be circulating. These can be bothersome and impact on your day-to-day life, but some relatively simple steps can help ease symptoms. 'Our advice for coping with these seasonal illnesses includes ensuring you have enough rest, are staying well-hydrated, and using over-the-counter remedies – your local pharmacy can give your guidance on the most appropriate medicine to use. It is also important to maintain good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing and using tissues when coughing or sneezing, to prevent the spread of infection. 'For more detailed advice NHSinform.scot is a valuable resource which has lots more information on how to safely self-manage illnesses such as these, and also when you should seek further advice.' According to Public Health Scotland : "Last summer in Scotland, there were more than 10,000 reported cases of COVID-19 and over 4,000 people hospitalised. This year's spring vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19. "This includes older adults in care homes, people aged 75 and over, and those with a weakened immune system, as they are at greater risk of illness from COVID-19. "If you're invited for a COVID-19 vaccination this spring, it's because experts know that your age or health condition mean you're at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at NHS, said: "Being vaccinated is the safest and most effective way for older people and those with certain underlying conditions to protect themselves against COVID-19. 'You get your strongest protection from the vaccine in the first three months after getting it. Over time, this protection gradually fades so, even if you had your winter vaccination, it's important to get another dose this spring to reinforce your immunity and help keep you safe. 'Getting vaccinated could mean the difference between a mild illness and a hospital stay.' The spring vaccination programme runs from March 31 until 30 June. If you're eligible, you'll be invited by letter, email or text message, depending on your selected communication preference. You can reschedule your appointment using the online portal or via the National Vaccination Helpline (0800 030 8013).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots mum left wheelchair-bound after 'toxic reaction to antibiotic'
"I'm limited, I can't the leave house by myself. I need a wheelchair to go outside." A fit and active Scots mum suffered a toxic reaction to an antibiotic leaving her unable to walk and wheelchair bound. Aneta Malachowska, 41, previously went to the gym five times a week and took an active role in her two children's lives. The mum-of-two, from Edinburgh, now relies on her husband to cook and take charge of childcare as she reels in the aftermath of the drug's rare side effects. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Anita spoke about the "devastating" impact the antibiotic had on her life. She said: "I'm limited, I can't the leave house by myself. I need a wheelchair to go outside." The fitness enthusiast underwent surgery for an abscess on one of her fallopian tubes in June 2024. Afterwards she was prescribed a fluoroquinolone antibiotic to treat inflammation that cropped up from the surgery - but she soon noticed irregularities in her health. Within days, a sensation emerged in her left left. It soon spread to her right leg and she began having difficulty walking. Aneta described the pain as "fireworks exploding in both my calfs". She said: "The pain was constant all day long, everyday. It was really difficult to walk and some days I couldn't walk more than 2000 steps." Aneta's condition continued to deteriorate in the following months. She tried to return to her work as a pharmacy technician, but her mobility was limited and she was experiencing extreme pain in both legs. Eventually, she became bound to a wheelchair, losing the ability to walk. The mum learned she had developed tendinopathy and muscle atrophy, noted side-effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. In 2023, the UK Government released a warning to healthcare professionals against prescribing fluoroquinolone antibiotics for "non-severe or self-limiting infections" due to "the risk of disabling and potentially long-lasting or irreversible side effects". Its use is recommended only when other antibiotics would be ineffective for treatment. Aneta constitutes one of the rare cases where fluoroquinolones resulted in disastrous side-effects. The mum - whose children are aged nine and 17 - spoke on the lasting impact the drug has had on her life a year on. She said: "I'm a mum and I can't do the stuff I used to do with my kids. We can't just go outside for a walk or go for run together because I'm mostly in the house. "It has impacted my life greatly because I'm not able to pick up my daughter from school, I can't do shopping anymore. My husband had to start doing all it himself and he still does. "I'm limited, I can't the leave house by myself. I need a wheelchair to go outside. I was very active before this happened. I went to the gym every day and went running on the weekends. It has massively impacted my life." Edinburgh Live spoke to Professor David Dockrell from the University of Edinburgh who studies infection and inflammation. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Although fluoroquinolones have been used for decades, the drugs are associated with musculoskeletal complications in rare cases, said Prof Dockrell. He said: 'The tendons can become inflamed. It can be difficult for tendons to heal and this can result in tendon ruptures and other problems. This has become more apparent over the years, although it remains a rare complication. "There are still times we need to prescribe [fluoroquinolones] when the benefit for a certain infection outweighs the potential risk. What we wouldn't do is routinely use them for everybody for common infections where there may be safer alternatives. And when there are safer alternatives, we would try to use those. Aneta has launched a fundraiser to help cover the cost her living expenses, treatments, supplements, and anti-inflammatory diet. If you would like to support her, you can do so here.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
There is no doubt Chris Hoy has saved lives and deserves Scotland's Champion trophy
Sir Chris Hoy is a national hero. Not only is he a six-time Olympic gold medallist, his courage to speak out about his illness has inspired the country. We all cheered him on as he won race after race across the world and represented Scotland with pride. He was our greatest ever Olympian when he retired but it has been his strength in the face of greater challenges that have made such a huge difference. Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he has helped raise awareness of the illness by speaking out. Charities have reported a surge of inquiries for tests since. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There is no doubt Chris has saved lives, despite the difficult situation he finds himself in. And he will do it again in September with his mass participation cycle ride starting and finishing in Glasgow. The Tour de 4 aims to raise £1million for cancer charities across the country and change perceptions of what a cancer diagnosis looks like. Chris is absolutely deserving to be given the first ever Scotland's Champion trophy at the Daily Record Pride of Scotland awards tonight. And he continues to inspire us by dedicating his award to those who are going through similar struggles. Our awards ceremony tonight will be honouring Scotland's unsung heroes, who have all made huge differences to others or in their communities. It will be an inspirational night and you can read all about the winners in the Daily Record this week. Prime example Many people will never forgive Tony Blair for his disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003. The war made the Middle East even more chaotic than it was before. And the consequences of the Iraq War are still being felt today as the region continues to be a threat to world peace. For many, Blair's legacy was tarnished by his willingness to back the US in the invasion. But that should not blind us to his achievements as a Labour prime minister. He made Labour a party of power, despite it having never served two full terms in a row before. Blair is still the most electorally successful Labour leader of all time, with three election wins. For that reason, Scottish Labour and Anas Sarwar are right to take advice from his institute. If they want to win next year's Holyrood election and beat the SNP, who better to help than the man who saved Labour from 18 long years in the political desert?
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Miracle baby for Scots mum just months after finishing gruelling cancer treatment
"After treatment for cancer, I didn't even know if I'd be able to have another child" A young mum who found out she was pregnant with her miracle baby just months after finishing treatment for cancer. And Nikki Milligan, 31, was guest of honour at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Pretty Muddy Edinburgh today. She joined her partner Jason McFarlane and their daughters Zoe, six, and Abbie, one, sounding the starter horn to send 1,500 people on a 5k mud-splattered obstacle course in The Meadows. Nikki was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in January 2022. In December the year before, a lump appeared near Nikki's collar bone and she suffered symptoms including night sweats. She had an x-ray after blood tests indicated there may be an issue and only hours after the x-ray the GP called her. Nikki said: 'I thought the x-ray results would take around 10 days to come, so when my GP called me back the same day I knew the news wouldn't be good. 'They'd found a tumour on my neck and my chest. I had a biopsy on Christmas Eve, 2021. My daughter was only three at the time and going through Christmas waiting for those final January results was hard.' Nikki lost her long, dark hair to the side effects of treatment. She had six months of chemotherapy in total including two stays in hospital. But on August 18, 2022, she completed her final session. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Edinburgh Live reports that just months later, Nikki was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant again. Her younger daughter Abbie was born on December 26, 2023. She said: 'I feel so lucky. After treatment for cancer, I didn't even know if I'd be able to have another child but here we are blessed with our Boxing Day baby.' Nikki from Edinburgh picked up a well earned medal after completing Pretty Muddy with Claire Wight, a close friend from their school days together at Tynecastle High School. They were among the hundreds of competitors who helped to raise £160,000 for Cancer Research. Now organisers are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they're appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible. Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, contributing millions of pounds towards life-saving research. Race for Life events which take place across the country are open to all ages and abilities. It includes events everywhere from Aberdeen to Ayr, Falkirk to Fife, Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling and Inverness. The money will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. Nikki said: 'I am incredibly grateful to be here to raise my two girls. It's hard to put in to words exactly how it feels to be healthy and surrounded by love. 'This summer will mark three years of me being in remission from cancer. I will forever be thankful to my family for their unwavering support and to the NHS for getting me better. 'I'm proud to be able to help others. I want to support research for people going through cancer right now and to help find better treatments for my daughters' generation.'
