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A TORY Ayrshire MSP is self-isolating with a suspected case of coronavirus.

South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has warned others after he was floored with symptoms.

The former athlete started suffering with a sore throat and a cough one evening, but by the next morning he started to experience a fever and sore joints, before getting a tightness across his chest.

Mr Whittle said the virus was worse than flu, and he was left scared at how hard the bug hit him.

Fortunately, the MSP is on the mend and he has urged others to follow social distancing measures and wash their hands.

Mr Whittle said: “For the last week, I have been self-isolating with a suspected case of the coronavirus, and let me tell you, it’s not something I would wish on anyone.

“It started with a bit of a sore throat and a cough one evening. By the next morning, I had added a temperature and sore joints to my list of symptoms. I was also feeling run-down and had a tightness across my chest. Over the next 24 hours or so, the symptoms worsened to the point that I could hardly do anything.”

“I’m a pretty fit and healthy person, so when I tell you that at one point the time it took me to get downstairs was measured in minutes, not seconds, you’ll have an idea of how bad it was. I’ve had the flu before and thought this would be much the same, but it was far worse.

“I don’t mind telling you I was a bit scared about how hard this bug hit me. Thankfully, I’m now on the mend but I’m still pretty wrung out.”

Mr Whittle has told how he is glad he self-isolated to protect is family for the virus, as anyone could catch it.

He added: “Like many other people, I thought about visiting my parents on Mother’s Day and now I’m so glad that I stuck to the rules and stayed at home.

“It can take a few days to show symptoms once you have the virus so it’s very likely I had it then and could have given it to my family.

“I can’t imagine how I would have felt if I’d decided I was an exception to the rules and then been responsible for putting my parents in hospital or worse. Anyone can get this virus and anyone can spread it; no-one is an exception.”