• October 16, 2021

‘Super cold’ spreading across UK but experts disagree saying its low immune: GPs urge people to stay home

LONDON Oct 16: The number of people suffering from symptoms of “the worst cold ever” that lasts for weeks have increased, with GPs encouraging those who are sick to stay at home, The Independent newspaper reported.

Experts have said it is “unlikely” that a so-called “super cold” is in circulation, but the surge in people contracting the common cold “highlights the power of the lockdown” and other public health measures that were taken to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The number of people suffering from symptoms of “the worst cold ever” that lasts for weeks have increased, with GPs encouraging those who are sick to stay at home.

Experts have said it is “unlikely” that a so-called “super cold” is in circulation, but the surge in people contracting the common cold “highlights the power of the lockdown” and other public health measures that were taken to stop the spread of Covid-19.

GP services have also seen an increase in patients seeking help with lower and upper respiratory tract infections, National World reported.

The rise in calls related to cold and flu symptoms comes as many people have complained on social media of suffering with the “worst cold ever”.

Public Health England (PHE) is assessing the possible ‘super cold’ but has said there is currently no spike in confirmed flu-like symptoms.

Professor Neil Mabbott, personal chair in immunopathology at The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, said it is “unlikely” that there is a “super cold” in circulation, with the rough symptoms instead being a result of weakened immunity due to lockdown measures.

He explained: “This highlights the power of the lockdown, mask wearing, social distancing and sanitation measures introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Not only was this very effective in reducing transmission of the coronavirus within the community, but at the same time it had the additional benefit of reducing the spread of colds and other common transmissible diseases.

“As these measures are eased and people start mixing more indoors and travelling on public transport etc we can expect to see a significant rise in colds and other respiratory diseases.

“It is unlikely we are seeing the circulation of a ‘super cold’, rather our immune systems have had limited exposure to colds over the past 18 months, so our immunity to these diseases will have waned during this period and will be less effective against colds than would be expected normally.”

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