Hacking cough that can last weeks has struck down thousands of people but doctors say there's nothing they can do about it
- GP surgeries have reported seeing large number of patients with nasty cough
- The cough, which is caused by a virus, cannot be treated with antibiotics
- Sufferers have been advised by doctors to rest and drink plenty of fluids
A hacking cough that can last weeks has hit thousands of people across the country - but doctors say there is nothing they can do to help.
GP surgeries have reported seeing a large number of patients with the nasty cough, which cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Those suffering with the hacking cough have been advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
A hacking cough that can last weeks has hit thousands of people across the country - but doctors say there is nothing they can do to stop it (file photo)
Dr Clare Gerada, former head of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said doctors are seeing 'a lot of people with a virus more severe than a normal cold, almost a type of bronchitis'.
One of the main symptoms of the virus is a hacking cough, which can take up to three weeks to clear.
Dr Anna Kuczynska, a GP in Cardiff, told Wales Online: 'In most cases, unless the patient has another underlying chronic condition for example, heart or lung disease or diabetes, there is often nothing the GP can do to help other than recommend resting and drinking plenty of fluids.'
She added: 'Antibiotics will be of no help for most normally healthy people.
'If you see blood or are breathless with your symptoms, have lost weight or symptoms are on-going more than three weeks, patients should get advice.'
Experts believe that the adenovirus is behind this winter's hacking cough and cold, rather than the more common rhinovirus.
GP surgeries have reported seeing a large number of patients with the nasty cough, which cannot be treated with antibiotics (file photo)
The virus has been blamed in part for bay closures at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors have reported a rise in patients coming to A&E with flu-related symptoms.
Deputy Medical Director Richard Miller told Cambridge News: 'The emergency department is already at capacity with high volumes of people attending and now we are seeing an increase in patients being admitted with flu-related illnesses.
'More vulnerable people, such as children, older people or people with long term conditions may need to be admitted, but they should check with their GP, local pharmacist or NHS 111.
'However, on the whole people with coughs, colds and flu-like illnesses will be better off staying at home, resting and drinking plenty of fluids.'
It comes as the Queen was struck down by a 'heavy cold' over Christmas, missing the traditional church service at Sandringham for the first time.
New research claims that cough medicines bought over the counter at pharmacies work little better than a placebo.
Only cough drops were proven to work, although boiled sweets would have the same throat-soothing effect, experts said.
Most watched News videos
- Five inmates injured during prison brawl at Chicago jail
- Heartbreaking moment horse cries at owner's funeral
- Al Jazeera Investigations film Shai Masot while undercover
- Woman hilariously struggles to keep her footing on icy driveway
- Inside the epic White House party
- David Blaine to risk electrocution in truly shocking new stunt
- "UFO" has been filmed demonstrating highly unusual behaviour
- Queen attends church for first time since heavy cold
- Police officer appears to 'repeatedly hit suspect' during struggle
- Tug of war! Kid struggles to get small pony out of barn
- Researchers find mysterious giant 'alien claw' in Peru
- Hammerhead shark bites whaler in half as fisherman reels in
-
Inside the Obamas' final star-studded party: White House...
-
Horrifying moment a truck driver mows down soldiers in...
-
'Is that a RAT?': Woman posts a glamorous selfie of her...
-
72 MILLION are put under a winter storm warning: Three dead...
-
Brad Pitt's fury over leaked court records as friends accuse...
-
'I was sure I was dead': Magician David Blaine's attempt to...
-
Texas mother LAUGHS in her mugshot as she is charged with...
-
Our little miracle of Longleat: Lady Weymouth – Britain’s...
-
'My girl was not raised like that': Grandmother of two black...
-
Hacking cough that can last weeks has struck down thousands...
-
EXCLUSIVE: Chicago torture victim, 18, is asking why 'friend...
-
Sick thug filmed rape of his girlfriend and threatened to...