Sneezing, coughing, sore throats … most of us suffer from these more in the UK than at home. Why do we get so sick in London? Words: DANIEL LANDON
Hands up if you know someone (yourself included) who, right now, is suffering from a cold or flu?
Talk to Aussies, Kiwis or Saffas living in London, and most will say that since arriving in the UK they suffer from far more coughs, colds, runny noses, sore throats and more cases of the flu than they ever did back home.
TNT’s theory is that because most of us get stuck into pub culture and booze it up, we’re less healthy and more prone to illness. But here’s what the experts say.
Why do we get sick so bloody much?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple reason as to why we might get sick more often over here.
It could be because most of us spend ages in germ-factory Tube carriages and buses; maybe we haven’t become accustomed to the variety of viruses going round in the UK; or it might be the cold weather.
George Kassionos, immunisation spokesperson at the Royal College of General Practitioners, says there are many theories why we could get sick more often than back home.
“But once you stay in one place for some time, you get infections and acquire immunity to those germs that are prevalent in that country,” he says.
So when you step off the long-haul flight from home you’re pretty much stepping into a whole new world of germs.
Is it that mongrel tube?
Quite possibly. Kassionos says that travelling on crowded trains and buses every day could contribute “to a large extent” to commuters having higher rates of colds and flu.
A spokeswoman for the London transport watchdog, Travelwatch, says there is no research on whether commuting in crowded trains and buses contributes to higher rates of illness.
“But it’s hard to imagine when crammed in there, and someone is sneezing, that you won’t be affected.”
Adrian Reyes-Hughes, the associate clinical director for NHS Direct, says using public transport could “definitely” contribute to illness.
“Close contact with people who are coughing and sneezing, particularly if don’t cover their mouth — that could help spread it around quite nicely.”
OK, so it’s the weather is it?
Kind of. Colds and flu are more prominent during winter, but cold weather itself doesn’t actually cause colds and flu.
Winter play its part through: cold weather weakening the immune system (making you more susceptible to colds and flu); people congregating indoors more often (helping spread viruses); and heated-up buildings create humid air that can help viruses survive longer.
Reyes-Hughes says there could be a further climatic reason why Antipodeans and South Africans get sick: we’re just not used to the UK’s colder weather. So it seems we’re just a bunch of sun-hungry southerners who can’t hack the big freeze.
So how do these viruses spread?
Colds and flu are caused by different viruses, but both are spread through droplets when someone sneezes or coughs, or when you touch a surface with the bug on it (like a door handle) then touch your eyes or nose.
Colds affect the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat), and are generally not too severe.
Symptoms of the flu are high temperature, nausea, and aches and pains. Here’s a quick test: if you see a £10 note on the floor when you’re sick and you’re happy to pick it up, you’ve got a cold. But if you can’t be bothered to pick it up it’s likely you’ve got flu.
» For info, including a symptom checker, see www.nhs.uk
My year of flu
Richard Finnila, 26, is a public relations manager. He lives in Fulham, and arrived from Australia a year ago.
“They say the first year living in London is the toughest and I can certainly vouch for that. I spent much of my first year sick — at least once a month.
Having just recently celebrated my first year in London, I decided to look back on the year and add up all the times I’ve fallen ill.
The number came to 11. Which got me thinking. I have basically been sick for a fifth of the year.
Coming from Brisbane, I was used to the usual cold around August when the winds picked up. But I knew what to expect, how to handle it, and most importantly could pretty much predict how long it would stick around.
Not over here.
There is no such thing as a typical cold and flu in London.
Sometimes I get knocked down with a sore throat and then it’s all over, other times I get the sore throat, then the runny nose, then headache and then do the cycle all over again.
It makes no sense. Recently I’ve found myself turning into one of those nutters washing my hands a thousand times a day for fear of catching something, but still I fall sick.
I eat properly, try not to drink (much) on school nights, and get to the gym occasionally.
The only comfort I take is that pretty much every Aussie I know living in London has had the same experience.
Tips to avoid getting sick
» Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
» Use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you snot into them.
» Wash your hands regularly.
» Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
» Stay off the booze if you’re unwell.
Sneezing, coughing, sore throats … most of us suffer from these more in the UK than at home. Why do we get so sick in London? Words: DANIEL LANDON
Hands up if you know someone (yourself included) who, right now, is suffering from a cold or flu?
Talk to Aussies, Kiwis or Saffas living in London, and most will say that since arriving in the UK they suffer from far more coughs, colds, runny noses, sore throats and more cases of the flu than they ever did back home.
TNT’s theory is that because most of us get stuck into pub culture and booze it up, we’re less healthy and more prone to illness. But here’s what the experts say.
Why do we get sick so bloody much?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple reason as to why we might get sick more often over here.
It could be because most of us spend ages in germ-factory Tube carriages and buses; maybe we haven’t become accustomed to the variety of viruses going round in the UK; or it might be the cold weather.
George Kassionos, immunisation spokesperson at the Royal College of General Practitioners, says there are many theories why we could get sick more often than back home.
“But once you stay in one place for some time, you get infections and acquire immunity to those germs that are prevalent in that country,” he says.
So when you step off the long-haul flight from home you’re pretty much stepping into a whole new world of germs.
Is it that mongrel tube?
Quite possibly. Kassionos says that travelling on crowded trains and buses every day could contribute “to a large extent” to commuters having higher rates of colds and flu.
A spokeswoman for the London transport watchdog, Travelwatch, says there is no research on whether commuting in crowded trains and buses contributes to higher rates of illness.
“But it’s hard to imagine when crammed in there, and someone is sneezing, that you won’t be affected.”
Adrian Reyes-Hughes, the associate clinical director for NHS Direct, says using public transport could “definitely” contribute to illness.
“Close contact with people who are coughing and sneezing, particularly if don’t cover their mouth — that could help spread it around quite nicely.”
OK, so it’s the weather is it?
Kind of. Colds and flu are more prominent during winter, but cold weather itself doesn’t actually cause colds and flu.
Winter play its part through: cold weather weakening the immune system (making you more susceptible to colds and flu); people congregating indoors more often (helping spread viruses); and heated-up buildings create humid air that can help viruses survive longer.
Reyes-Hughes says there could be a further climatic reason why Antipodeans and South Africans get sick: we’re just not used to the UK’s colder weather. So it seems we’re just a bunch of sun-hungry southerners who can’t hack the big freeze.
So how do these viruses spread?
Colds and flu are caused by different viruses, but both are spread through droplets when someone sneezes or coughs, or when you touch a surface with the bug on it (like a door handle) then touch your eyes or nose.
Colds affect the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat), and are generally not too severe.
Symptoms of the flu are high temperature, nausea, and aches and pains. Here’s a quick test: if you see a £10 note on the floor when you’re sick and you’re happy to pick it up, you’ve got a cold. But if you can’t be bothered to pick it up it’s likely you’ve got flu.
» For info, including a symptom checker, see www.nhs.uk
My year of flu
Richard Finnila, 26, is a public relations manager. He lives in Fulham, and arrived from Australia a year ago.
“They say the first year living in London is the toughest and I can certainly vouch for that. I spent much of my first year sick — at least once a month.
Having just recently celebrated my first year in London, I decided to look back on the year and add up all the times I’ve fallen ill.
The number came to 11. Which got me thinking. I have basically been sick for a fifth of the year.
Coming from Brisbane, I was used to the usual cold around August when the winds picked up. But I knew what to expect, how to handle it, and most importantly could pretty much predict how long it would stick around.
Not over here.
There is no such thing as a typical cold and flu in London.
Sometimes I get knocked down with a sore throat and then it’s all over, other times I get the sore throat, then the runny nose, then headache and then do the cycle all over again.
It makes no sense. Recently I’ve found myself turning into one of those nutters washing my hands a thousand times a day for fear of catching something, but still I fall sick.
I eat properly, try not to drink (much) on school nights, and get to the gym occasionally.
The only comfort I take is that pretty much every Aussie I know living in London has had the same experience.
Tips to avoid getting sick
» Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
» Use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you snot into them.
» Wash your hands regularly.
» Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
» Stay off the booze if you’re unwell.
