BBC Morning Live GP and current Strictly Come Dancing star has issued a health warning as winter approaches. Dr Punam Krishan took to Instagram stories today (October 8), sharing her advice amidst her “bizarre morning” discussing Strictly with patients – “all for good reasons” – she assures.
With “lots of coughs, colds and flus” circulating, she warns that “the viruses are back” and is now urging people to rest, eat well, and take vitamin D. If you’re suffering from a cold, vitamin C and zinc “are your friends” she adds.
However, the most crucial step everyone should take, whether ill or not, is to get the latest Covid and flu vaccines. “If you are eligible for the flu jab, for your Covid booster, if you are immunocompromised or are looking after someone who is vulnerable, now is the time to book in and get it done. Particularly for children as well who are eligible for the nasal flu” spray, Dr Punam explained.
Parents should expect letters about this soon, if they haven’t already received them with her urging to act promptly to avoid catching flu and Covid, noting that many people are currently unwell with her seeing many cases due to the nature of her job.
The warning comes as a more contagious Covid strain, XEC, is set to take over after NHS warnings of a ‘tripledemic’ of viruses this winter with flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The new strain comes from the Omicron variant but is more contagious and has quickly grown to makeup 21% of UK Covid infections.
The latest news comes as the Autumn Covid booster drive has started this month with health officials – including Dr Punam – urging over-65s and other eligible groups to get the jab to protect themselves.
The arrival of the variant in the UK has been accompanied by a spike in recorded Covid cases. Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that cases of Covid increased by 21.6 percent in England in just one week.
In the seven days up to September 25, there were 2,797 recorded cases of Covid – an increase of 530 from the week prior. And in the week up to September 20 there was a 50 percent increase in Covid deaths in England, with 134 recorded.
Symptoms of XEC are thought to be similar to other strains of Covid and can include:
A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- An aching body
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick.
If you are suffering from Covid symptoms, the NHS warned against two common habits which many of us do at night. “Do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead,” the health body said. “Do not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus.”
