A MYSTERY bug ensured many Swindonians had a not-so-merry festive break and it has still got many in its grip.

Now GP surgeries across town say they are being swamped with patients with flu-like symptoms.

Many have had a miserable time, bedridden for days and suffering violent vomiting.

In one day Dr Peter Swinyard, of Phoenix Surgery in Toothill, said he saw more than 20 patients with the bug before lunch.

He said: "The surgery has been full of people and we have certainly been very busy."

But the experienced GP stressed that he did not think it was the start of a major epidemic.

Dr Kandy Kandiah, of Sparcells Surgery, volunteered to work on Christmas Day with the newly-formed out-of-hours GP service.

That night the team based in Shrivenham Road visited 14 sufferers in a two-hour period.

Dr Kandiah said: "What with the earthquake and this bug it's been a pretty miserable Christmas this year. The team worked very hard particularly so on Christmas night.

"I would describe the symptoms as flu-like but the chesty cough made it appear like bronchitis."

And Dr Peter Crouch, of Taw Hill Medical Practice, said in the run-up to Christmas the team were seeing 30 to 40 patients with flu-like symptoms twice as many as usual.

Lynda Wearn, assistant director of public health at Swindon Primary Care Trust, said family get-togethers were the ideal breeding ground for viruses.

"Bugs like this are highly contagious and thrive in warm, confined spaces," she said. "People come together at Christmas when they don't normally and so germs spread very quickly.

"Symptoms can include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or blocked nose and aching limbs.

"Some people may also experience diarrhoea and occasional vomiting."

Politician Julia Drown was among the many who had their festive holiday ruined by the bug.

The MP for South Swindon is now recovering after being laid-up since Christmas Eve.

"Overall it has been a pretty bad Christmas," she said.

"I started to feel unwell as I was wrapping Christmas presents.

"By Christmas morning I was feeling really bad. I was constantly aching all over and I had a temperature. The bug also left me feeling sick and short of breath."

Survival tips

If you're not well enough for work, you should stay at home for more rest. This will also help contain the bug.

Drink lots of hot drinks and take some Paracetamol to help reduce the temperature.

Eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruit.

Sufferers with underlying health problems like diabetes or heart disease should take greater precautions and visit their GP as soon as possible.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterwards to minimise the risk of spreading the bug.

Kevin Shoesmith