The main difference between normal flu and the deadly Aussie flu are the duration and severity of symptoms, according to pharmacist and Jakemans expert, Marvin Munzu.

Flu symptoms tend to reside after a week or so, while Aussie flu can last much longer, with more severe symptoms, he said.

Aussie flu can also lead to pneumonia and other severe respiratory complications, which are specific to Aussie flu, added Munzu.

Those most at risk of Aussie flu and its complications are the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune systems - for example, cancer patients.

“The Aussie flu symptoms are similar to the normal flu symptoms,” Munzu told Express.co.uk.

“The main difference being the severity and duration symptoms.

“Symptoms include headaches, fevers, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, runny nose and sneezing, which generally lasts more than a week and are more severe.”

Aussie flu has caused a number of deaths as the Australian flu vaccine is ineffective against the specific strain of the influenza virus, he said.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus, and there are three main types of virus; A, B and C.

Types A and B tend to cause major seasonal outbreaks of flu, while C causes milder symptoms.

Aussie flu is a mutated form of the influenza A virus, and is known as H3N2, said Munzu.

Symptoms of the condition include aching, fever, sore throat, congestion, fatigue and muscle weakness.

At least 23 people have died from flu in the UK this winter, so far. Almost a third of those deaths were reported last week.

The number of flu cases is expected to continue rising, Public Health England has warned.

“Flu activity, as measured by a number of different systems, has continued to increase in the last week or two,” said PHE’s Nick Phin.

“This is to be expected as the season progresses and at this point the numbers are in-keeping with previous years.

“The circulating flu strains match those in the current flu vaccine, so the vaccine remains the best defence against the virus.”