THE credit crunch is taking its toll on the nation's health with record numbers of flu sufferers.

Figures from high street pharmacies report "downturn flu" has triggered a 10 per cent rise in sales of cough and cold remedies. Superdrug is vaccinating 1,800 people a week against influenza more than double those vaccinated last year.

Martin Crisp, Superdrug's chief pharmacist, said: "There is a definite trend in customers wanting to head off bugs this winter. They tell us this is one winter they don't want to have to take time off ill, especially those worrying about their current jobs."

The numbers of sick days are also at record levels. Personnel experts say constant worries over jobs, family finances and the global economy have weakened the immune systems of staff.

The latest figures from absence management company FirstCare show that more than 380,000 people are ringing in sick every day after being struck down by flu-like symptoms or stomach problems above average for this time of year. The normal figure is 308 out of 100,000 employees absent for flu-like symptoms but has shot up to 585 this year.

Aaron Ross, FirstCare managing director, said: "The credit crunch is beginning to impact on our health and productivity. We've seen a steady growth in sickness rates over the last 10 days and they have been going up and up for a while. We've not seen anything like this before- it's very, very unusual."

The Health Protection Agency, which monitors rises in health outbreaks such as influenza, warned people not to over-react.

Dr Graham Fraser said: "Flu and colds are very different illnesses and shouldn't be confused. But their initial symptoms can sometimes be quite similar.

"With flu you will feel rapidly and quite severely unwell. Cold symptoms generally develop more slowly."

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