Do you have autumn flu?

Up to three million people have been struck down by a new 'autumn flu' bug spreading across Britain. The symptoms - which include a cough, sore throat, runny nose and feeling rundown - are said to be worse than a common cold but not as bad as full-blown influenza.

The number of people going to their doctor with flu-like symptoms doubled from five per 100,000 people last month to ten per 100,000 this month.

And medical experts are worried that the expected temperature drop this weekend will make matters worse.

A sore throat seems to be the most common symptom of 'autumn flu', with 39 per cent of sufferers reporting this to their doctor; 24 per cent have a bunged-up nose; 24 per cent a runny nose and 24 per cent chest congestion.

GP Dr Sabine Donnai of Prestige Health says there is an 'autumn flu' problem throughout the country.

'We have been seeing at least two to three cases of flu-like symptoms a day, which is usually what we would expect in a week at this time of year.

'People have not been coming in with just the snuffles. They are presenting with real flu symptoms of sore throats, high temperatures, fatigue and chesty coughs.

'The flu virus is an infectious disease of the upper air passages (or upper respiratory tract) while the common cold is contained in the head and lasts only a few days.

'This flu virus is also lasting much longer than normal flu, with some patients suffering for two or three weeks, instead of a few days.'

Dr Donnai says that the situation may have been brought about by the recent change in the weather. 'The flu virus lies dormant in warm weather and then becomes active in the cold,' she says.

'This "autumn flu" makes you feel really poorly. It is hard for a patient to differentiate between what is a flu and what is something much more serious such as bronchitis, so if symptoms persist for longer than two to three days you should go to a doctor.'

GP Dr Harris Jones, who works at the Hosier Lane Medical Centre in the City of London, agrees.

'The symptoms are no different this year than they are for any other year - they just seem to be more widespread and have come earlier than usual.

'We would expect to see an increase in flu symptoms in November or December when the temperature drops severely.

'The flu virus is airborne and is being spread by contaminated droplets coughed or sneezed by sufferers. It is more prevalent in highly populated cities because people are in close proximity to each other.

'If you are suffering "autumn flu" symptoms, the only advice is to stay at home, rest, keep warm and take paracetamol until you feel better.

'On the whole, the symptoms should ease in just a few days but because there are so many different strains some people will feel ill for longer than others.

'If the symptoms change significantly for the worse to include headaches or earache, you should go to the doctor immediately because it may have developed into a secondary ear or chest infection that will need medical treatment.

'The only way to prevent getting the "autumn flu" would be to avoid human contact.

'The elderly and those with suppressed immune systems should get the flu vaccine from their doctor because, for these vulnerable people, the flu virus can be life-threatening.'

Germs spread particularly well in autumn, explains pharmacist Noel Wicks.

'This is the time of year when students go back to school and university, sitting in close proximity to each other in classes,' he says. 'It's rife for spreading germs. There will also be coughs and colds when the temperature drops.'

But the Flu Monitoring Unit at the Royal College of Practitioners is not convinced.

A spokesman says there is 'nothing exceptional' about the number of people getting the cold and flu virus this year.

The Health Protection Agency is equally sceptical. A spokesperson says: 'According to our weekly report, the rate of flu in the country has increased from 7.5 per 100,000 to ten per 100,000, which is well below the normal activity for this time of year of 50 per 100,000.

However, Lindsey Kelk, 23, who live in Watford and works in publicity, disagrees. 'Everyone in my office has got it,' she says.

'I felt a tickle in the back of my throat last week and didn't think it would come to anything, but over the weekend the symptoms got worse.

'Now it has developed into an all-out flu. I have a cough, feel achey, have had sleepless nights and a temperature.

'About once a year, I get a chest infection - but in the depths of the winter, not in sunny autumn.

'I went to the doctor who said he had been seeing lots of patients with the same complaint. He thought it might be because of the weather - cold mornings and sunny days.

'I am still going to work but am taking paracetamol daily and lots of hot drinks.'

Another sufferer is Shani Shaker, 32, who lives in South-East London and works in consumer PR.

'I've been feeling awful for the past three weeks and can't seem to shake it off,' she says.

'My head feels fuzzy, I have a headache, bad chest, a cough and a really sore throat. I don't normally get sick and this has taken me by surprise.

'I feel absolutely exhausted and have never been sick for this long. It isn't getting worse but it isn't getting any better, even though I am resting as much as I can.

'I am taking vitamin C and echinacea - an alternative remedy that is supposed to boost the immune system - but I don't think it is helping.

'I will probably go to the doctor because I am worried it could turn into a chest infection. I didn't go earlier because I didn't think there was anything you could do for flu, but maybe it's time for antibiotics.

'Everyone in the office is sick. And it can't be helped by the air conditioning which is spreading the germs around.'