THOUSANDS of people who thought they were suffering from nothing more than hay fever or a heavy or persistent cold could actually be suffering from a disease which may entitle them to compensation from present or previous employers, says the St Helens TUC Community Resource Centre.

Cold-like symptoms such as a runny or bleeding nose, sore or dry throat, watery eyes, coughing, drowsiness or headaches, can also signal the beginning of Mucus Membrane Disease (MMD). The illness can be brought about by materials used in many industries and certain working conditions.

Glen Voris, manager of the centre, says the possibility of St Helens people suffering from MMD is particularly high due to the nature of industry carried out in the town. "This is a real concern to us as the symptoms are so common, yet could signal the onset of a very serious illness. Very often people will put such things down to simple illness or their age, without realising that their job could be making them ill."

Although the disease was first diagnosed nearly a century ago very few people get diagnosed due to what they see as the trivial nature of their complaint. Even doctors and hospitals may not have spotted it as they may have examined patients for other diseases such as emphysema or pneumoconiosis.

Adds Glen: "Recent campaigns in other area of the country have led to many people coming forward. We believe similar numbers could be involved in St Helens. This town has a very rich history of industry, of which we should be proud. Unfortunately some of the people who built that success are now suffering for it, and deserve some form of compensation."

ANYONE who feels they may be suffering these symptoms is advised to contact the St Helens TUC Community Resource Centre on St Helens 755889.

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