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Aussie Flu Is Running Riot In Britain, And A New Japanese Flu Might Be Coming Behind It

Aussie Flu Is Running Riot In Britain, And A New Japanese Flu Might Be Coming Behind It

Australian flu is causing havoc across Britain, and now Japanese flu might be about to pay us all a visit too

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

It's getting to the point now where everyone knows someone who has had Australian Flu. The H3N2 strain of the Influenza virus has been sweeping across Britain for the past few weeks and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

And don't say we didn't warn you either, it had been predicted for months in advance but it has still pushed hospitals, doctors, and patients to breaking point. Just the other day it was reported that every postcode in Britain has now had at least one case of the sickness.

So, apart from literally not touching everything and smothering yourself in antibacterial wipes, what can you do to spot it coming?

Luckily for you, the NHS has provided us with a helpful list of symptoms so that you can tell how screwed you are straight away.

The NHS Has Issued a List of Symptoms (
PA)

It lists fever, aches, tiredness, chesty cough, sore throat, headache, sleep problems, loss of appetite, tummy pain, sickness and nausea as things to watch for.

If you've got any of those symptoms, for God's sake stay away from children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses, as you might be about to come down with the dreaded Aussie flu.

You aren't alone either, as the latest stats suggest that up to 4.5 million people have been laid low with the illness across Britain.

The worst hit areas have been Northern Ireland and Scotland. In Northern Ireland they even temporarily banned the shaking of hands as a sign of peace at mass.

According to the latest figures from Public Health England's National Influenza Report say that 17 people have been left fighting for their lives. Some people in the Republic of Ireland have already died as a result of the virus.

Australian flu is called so because it affected up to 170,000 people in Australia last winter (our summer) and it has now made its way across the globe to mess with us.

The bombardment might not be over yet as well. There have been reports of Japanese flu coming across to the country.

It remains to be seen whether they will have the same devastating effect on the NHS as their Australian counterpart, but the Sun reports that strains of the so-called Japanese 'Yamagata' flu are most likely to affect youngsters.

A Public Health England spokeswoman told the paper: "The nasal spray vaccine, given to children who are the group most likely to be affected by flu B, does protect against both B strains.

"And it will also provide some indirect protection to other parts of the population.

"The vaccine remains the best defence against the virus."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, NHS