A top public health official has advised Brits to rest up at home if they're suffering with a seasonal illness.
Dr Jenny Harries - chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency - has urged people to take time off to recover if they contract a bug during the colder months.
Her advice comes as the common cold wreaks havoc after two years of strict measures to prevent the spread of Covid.
Though mask-wearing and social distancing protected Brits during the pandemic, it also weakened immune systems - leaving little defence against common viruses.
But Dr Harries has urged Brits not to "grin and bear it" by going into the office when feeling unwell.
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She told Times Radio: “I think, particularly as we approach the flu season for example, whereas people traditionally in the UK have sort of grinned and borne their infectious disease and then gone into work and spread it around, I’m hoping that, as we go through winter, people when they are symptomatic will generally recognise that and stay away and be supported to do so.”
The advice has been echoed by a growing number of experts and ministers - who say Brits should be wary of spreading any viruses at all.
Cases of the winter vomiting bug - or norovirus - have also surged to levels higher than normal.
There isn't exact data on the number of people who have caught the devastating "worst cold ever" over the past few weeks, as most people don't report to their GP with a cold.
But there is sufficient anecdotal evidence proving the lurgy has spread widely up and down the country.
Rather than the usual runny nose and cough, the disease appears to be laying people out.
Some people told the Mirror how the cold had been more debilitating than Covid, while others reported having to call sick for weeks because of it.
One reported being so badly hit by the bug they had to call sick on the first day of their new job.
The spread of what's been branded the UK's "worst lurgy" has been attributed to a dip in immunity after a year and a half of social distancing and wearing face masks.
Dr Harries' remarks come after Boris Johnson ordered young Brits to return to the office under the threat of being " gossiped about ".
The PM's comments came on the day before the Tory conference, where he said he would demand people return to their desks after Covid led to an explosion of home-working.
Mr Johnson confirmed the plans, telling LBC Radio: "The data I see at the moment is very clear that we are right to stick to Plan A which is what we’re on. That means opening up and encouraging people, always continuing to do sensible things like washing your hands, having ventilation, all that kind of thing.
"But we are certainly encouraging people to get back to work in the normal way, and I think that’s a good thing, and let me tell you why…
"For young people in particular it’s really essential, if you’re going to learn on the job, you can’t just do it on Zoom. You’ve got to be able to come in and sit at the … you’ve got to know what everybody else is talking about.
"Otherwise you’re going to be gossiped about and you’re going to lose out. You need to be there and you need to have the stimulus of exchange and competition."
Scientist have said home-working slows the spread of Covid - and Boris Johnson's own government has also pledged to make it easier for people to request flexible working.
