How to prevent catching 'brutal' cold that's sweeping the UK

As the festive season officially rolls in, along comes the increase in cold and flu symptoms going around.

With sick days being taken left, right and centre, some poorly patients are desperately searching for a way to prevent one particularly 'brutal' cold which has been circling the UK.

This 'awful infection' reportedly has the potential to be 'worse than any winter bug', and has already left hundreds unable to get out of bed for weeks on end.

Many sufferers have taken to social media since coming down with their illness, hoping to seek support and remedies from fellow patients.

One person took to Reddit to talk about their own experience with the horrendous bug: "Just resurfaced from a 5hr midday nap.

"I feel like my face has been hit with a shovel, I’m still tired, coughing, sneezing, can only breathe out of my mouth. Fun times."

Another opened up: "Just coming off the back end of a brutal cold that's lasted about 3 weeks, during which my sinuses have been almost completely closed, relaxing only for brief periods while also producing mucus at an alarming rate."

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"I generally don't tend to get ill but this hideous cold-lurgy-flu type thing absolutely knocked me for six," added a third.

"Thought it was shifting but went for a walk earlier and now I just feel grotty again."

When it comes to recovery tips and tricks, another went on: "It's been a total b****rd, had me in bed for a couple of days and feeling s**t for a couple of weeks now. I can totally recommend Otrivine nasal spray for the blocked nose/sinus bit though."

But what about preventing the illness altogether?

According to the NHS, there are a number of changes you can make to the way you live your daily life that have been proven to keep colds and flus at bay.

The most frequently noticed symptoms of a common cold are a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, coughs and sneezing.

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A raised temperature could also indicate that you're feeling rather under the weather - as could pressure in your ears and face and a loss of taste and smell.

The NHS says, however, that in order to prevent a cold from spreading - even before your symptoms have shown up, you should be sure to washing your hands with warm water and soap.

Surely, this one is common sense?

Well, apparently you should also avoid sharing towels or household items (like cups) with someone who has a cold.

According to the NHS, you should resist touching your eyes or nose in case you have come into contact with the virus - being that it can infect the body this way - and generally, you should prioritise staying fit and healthy.

The more you know!