Leicestershire's influenza outbreak 'is the worst in a decade'

[davieG]

Merc

By Cathy Buss Health Correspondent

Leicestershire is in the grip of a serious outbreak of influenza and respiratory disease.

Health experts believe it could be as bad as the flu epidemic of 1999-2000 when 22,000 people across the country died – 10 times the average for a winter flu season.

They are seeing increasing numbers of patients falling ill with different strains of the illness, including swine flu and the disease respiratory syncytial virus, which is known as RSV, to which children are especially vulnerable.

Dr Philip Monk, a public health consultant with the Health Protection Agency, said: "There is a lot of winter virus illness at the moment. It is very bad and could be as bad as 1999/2000.

"I couldn't begin to put a number on those affected. It began during the last week of November and, like a pandemic, it really gets going in the first four weeks. Weeks six to 10 are the worst, and then numbers begin to tail off again. This means the worst period will be as we enter the festive period."

Full Report -

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/INFLUENZA-OUTBREAK-WORST-DECADE/article-3016641-detail/article.html

[Jackirius]

Sweet

[Houdini Logic]

The last couple of days have been the worst I've ever felt from an illness like this.

Puts into perspective the amount of man flu I've actually had in my life

[Fox You Forest]

I've had it for about four days and it's really quiet mild compared to when I normally get it.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Aye I've got my grandad under lock and key.

[ajthefox]

been alright so far but I am in sheffield until tonight to be fair. I remember 99/2000 though, was obviously gonna do something with family for the new millenium and what not but both my parents were ill and a few other close relatives were too so we had to stay at home!

[Fox You Forest]

Think I spoke too soon, I may be dying.

[MC Prussian]

Got man flu, too. But I'm on the road of recovery. Slowly.

The coughing is the most annoying thing right now.

And I still feel I'm at only 70% energy levels.

[Teece]

I had the swine flu vaccine / flu jab a couple of weeks back

[Ozwin]

I work in a shop, it's only a matter of time before I get the ****er.