NHS advice as people suffering from brutal cold sweeping UK

You aren't the only one feeling like crap at the moment as it appears a brutal cold is currently sweeping the UK.

Brits have been complaining about being unable to get a good night's sleep, while some have been forced to call in sick for work.

Taking to a UK Reddit feed, people have openly been discussing their colds and many have reported the same symptoms.

Have you been feeling under the weather lately? (Getty Stock Image)

"A lingering, persistent cough absolutely ruins me. It stops me sleeping, it disturbs those around me and it makes people in public uncomfortable," one person wrote.

Another added: "Cough is the worst. I can sleep through the rest, but I can’t sleep with a cough."

While someone else said: "When you spend the day feeling like you’re getting better, but then night time comes and you feel just as bad as you did at the start. F**king hate it."

"Whenever I get a cold it goes straight to my sinuses and it’s the worst," a fourth penned.

"It makes one of my eyes water constantly, and the pressure makes my entire face feel like it’s going to explode."

There are plenty of ways to treat a common cold (Getty Stock Image)

The chances are, you probably have the common cold, and the NHS says it usually lasts for a week to two.

Main symptoms include:

• A blocked or runny nose
• Sneezing
• A sore throat
• A hoarse voice
• A cough
• Feeling tired and unwell

If you've also got a high temperature, aching muscles or a loss of taste or smell, that could also mean you've got a common cold.

To help you get better as soon as possible, the NHS has revealed the best way to go about it.

How to treat a common cold:

• Make sure you have plenty of rest
• Stay hydrated and drink a lot of water
• Try and eat healthier meals to stay full, and lay off the junk food
• Gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (though this is not suitable for children)
• Drink hot water with lemon and honey to help with a sore throat
• Breathe in steam to ease a blocked nose by sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running
• Don't smoke, as it could make your symptoms worse

However, if your symptoms do not go away after two weeks, then you should contact your GP.

"You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse," the NHS adds.

"Do not use other cough and cold medicines if you're also taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets as you may take more medicine than you should."