A doctor has explained why it seems like everybody in the UK is becoming unwell at the moment without testing positive for Covid-19.
Despite the recent sunny weather, many Brits have been complaining about feeling ill and still testing negative for coronavirus.
However, one GP has described that there are other reasons people have been struck down with flu-like symptoms - including a 'super cold', the flu and norovirus, The Daily Star reports.
Doctor Ollie Hart, a Sheffield GP, said: "In our practice, I think we have seen an increase in people coming in with flu or cold-like symptoms.
“It's felt like more than usual for this time of year and there seems to be quite a high occurrence.
"But my gut feeling is that this is coming from people mixing with no barriers again. People are mixing and spreading bugs they haven't for a while.
“We've been protected from that over the past few years and our immune systems aren't quite used to it.”
The medic added that it’s normal to occasionally have these symptoms and reminded ill Brits they should see their pharmacists before their doctors.
"People shouldn't panic. We have almost forgotten what it's like to have an ordinary cough or cold that's not Covid,” he advised.
"If you are clinically vulnerable or have a chronic health condition you should take a bit more care but for most people, we need to remember common sense about managing ordinary day-to-day illnesses.
"There isn't a plague running around. Having simple bugs is an ordinary fact of life."
Other doctors say there is a slightly later flu season than normal this year.
Norovirus is on the rise too and a report found that from week nine to week 10 of 2022, virus outbreaks doubled.
People who are experiencing any of the symptoms - including a runny nose, a headache and cough - should get plenty of rest and stay hydrated until they recover, medics say.
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