'Super flu' victims warn of 'hellish' symptoms after they thought they were dying

A group of 'super flu' victims have issued a warning over the 'hellish' symptoms after falling seriously ill.

Chances are, you'll have heard and seen headlines cropping up left, right and centre all about the so-called 'super flu' - which is a strain of influenza A known as H3N2, circulating all over the UK at the moment.

According to an official NHS England press release from last week (11 December), an average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu in early December, which is the highest ever for this time of year.

That's enough flu patients each day to fill more than three whole hospital trusts!

There's what is being called a 'super flu' going around the UK at the moment (Getty Stock Images)

Now, flu symptoms, unlike a common cold, come on very quickly and can include:

• a sudden high temperature
• an aching body
• feeling tired or exhausted
• a dry cough
• a sore throat
• a headache
• difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea or tummy pain
• feeling sick and being sick

The 'super flu' H3N2 strain tends to produce more severe fevers exceeding 38°C (Getty Stock Images)

The new 'super flu' strain, H3N2, specifically tends to produce more severe fevers, with patients typically experiencing higher body temperatures overall. They are also more likely to develop a higher fever - exceeding 38°C - than with strains like H1N1.

People who experienced such symptoms have since rushed to social media to share their experiences.

Writing on the 'flu' thread on Reddit, one person shared: "It feels like this is my end.

"The flu started for me yesterday (doctor can only confirm 100% in a few days but it's most likely the new strain). GUYS how the F*CK do you deal with this sh*t? It genuinely feels like I'm dying, my fever hits 40.5 most of the day, and I'm so scared it's gonna get even worse."

They went on to detail: "The body aches are insane, it feels like someone is hitting me with a car nonstop and like I have knives in my lungs."

"I unfortunately did not get to have the flu vaccine as I was pretty sick the past few weeks, too, and I had to keep postponing it. Am I gonna be okay???"

It didn't take long for the people of the internet to rush in and share their thoughts.

People have shared their 'hellish' symptoms with the 'super flu' (Getty Stock Images)

"Day 18 here, it does get better. Days 2-5 were quite hellish, but the worst of the symptoms do vanish as quickly as they came," a second Reddit user replied. "Keep fluids up, rest as much as possible."

A third echoed: "This is the flu. The real flu. Not where you pop some DayQuil and head to work or run errands. Yes, you will survive, but it will be hell first.

"I never got the flu shot until 2008 when I first had the flu. And then I never went without the flu shot again."

Another chimed in: "Bro, I had the same thing, Influenza A+ suspected new variant, including the 40.5 fever. It will be okay, I promise, but it's going to be hell for the next few days at least. "Cancel work and everything, just focus on yourself. Hydrate, and if you can't eat, don't push yourself because your body needs the energy to fight off the virus. Are you taking paracetamol/acetaminophen for the fever?! Keep an eye on the lung pain and go to the ER/emergency clinics if you're having issues breathing etc."

And a final Redditor sympathised: "I’m just here to say I feel your pain. I’m on day 4, and every day a new horrible symptom gets added. I legit question if I’m going to die like 5x a day. "Extreme dizziness, blurred vision started today, stomach feels hard. I have a throbbing pain at the base of my skull that comes and goes.

"I hope you feel better soon! Oh, and my fever finally hit 99-100°F (37°C). It’s been 102-103°F (38/39°C) the past 3 days."

You can find out more about the flu on the official NHS website here.