MORE patients have been catching colds or a touch of 'flu than expected for the time of year, according to public health experts.

Tests on samples taken in Scottish hospitals show higher levels of the virus which causes the common cold, as well as parainfluenza - which can be like a milder form of flu.

Almost twice as many people have tested positive for the cold virus in NHS Scotland laboratories compared to a typical year.

Levels of parainfluenza are up more than 300 per cent.

The number of people turning to their GPs with full blown flu symptoms has also risen in recent weeks - but remains well below the level considered normal for the start of winter.

The information is shared in an official bulletin which advises NHS staff on the respiratory problems circulating in the community.

Drawing from a database of hundreds of hospital samples tested during October, the report says: "The levels of rhinovirus (the virus which usually causes the common cold) and parainfluenza were increased and above expected levels throughout the four weeks."

During October there were 657 confirmed cases of rhinovirus, compared to an average for the last five years of 341.

Diagnoses of parainfluenza are three times higher than usual with 180 cases detected over the course of the month compared to an average of 57.

Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist for Health Protection Scotland (HPS) - which monitors respiratory health, described rhinovirus and parainfluenza as relatively mild illnesses which don't tend to require medical treatment. Where these viruses had been detected in hospital patients, he said, the patient may have been seeking treatment for other health problems.

He said they were flagged up to doctors and nurses by HPS to give them a sense of what is currently causing illness in Scotland.

The bulletin also notes a recent rise in the diagnosis of croup - the condition which gives young children a barking cough and can make it difficult for them to breathe - and says it is in line with the usual early winter wave.

Confirmed cases of croup rose quickly during October from 13 in a week at the beginning of the month to 42 in a week by the end.

Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist for Health Protection Scotland - which monitors respiratory health in Scotland, said: "Every year croup means significant problems for the poor wee souls who get that. In particular there are challenges for the smallest of children - infants in particular. Very often they end up at least for a short time being so unwell they have to go to hospital."

GP practices have begun offering eligible patients the flu vaccine to protect them from this illness, which can have serious complications. So far this winter uptake is lower in Scotland than in previous years, according to the report. So far 39 per cent of the over 65s have taken up the offer of the jab, compared to 44 per cent at the same stage last year. Fewer people with chronic health problems, such as asthma, have also been vaccinated this season at 19 per cent compared to 26 per cent at the same time in 2014.

Last year concerns were raised about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine as the element which protected people against influenza A HCN2 was not a perfect match for the strain of the virus spreading in the community. However, experts ultimately calculated the vaccine was 33 per cent effective.

Dr McMenamin said it was too early to draw any conclusions about the lower numbers of people seeking vaccination. He said: "It is early in the season, so we do not know if it is (due to) the vagaries of the vaccine offer being a bit later in some (GP) surgeries than others."