Throat infection symptoms explained after Sting spotted at event following diagnosis
Music icon Sting joined his wife Trudie Styler at a major charity event this week, just months after battling a debilitating ‘infection’. The Police frontman, 73, was snapped at The Wayuu Taya Foundation’s Spring Gala – an event tied to relief for Indigenous communities in Latin America.
Earlier this year, fans were devastated to hear that Sting was given no option but to delay a string of concerts in Phoenix, Arizona, Wheatland, California, and another for record label Cherrytree Music Company ‘due to illness’. His team also revealed that he could not attend the Bass Magazine Awards either, where he was due to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Posting to Sting’s official Instagram account they previously said: “On advisement from his doctor, due to illness, it is with sincere regret that Sting must cancel his appearance at the Bass Magazine Awards this Thursday and postpone his STING 3.0 concerts in Phoenix, AZ (originally scheduled for January 24) to June 1 and Wheatland, CA (originally scheduled for January 26) to May 28 as well as his performance at the Cherrytree Music Company’s 20th anniversary, now taking place May 29.
“Fans should retain their tickets for the postponed shows, as they will be honoured on the new dates. Sting sincerely apologises for any inconvenience and extends his gratitude to the fans for their understanding.”
Unsurprisingly, this was quickly flooded with well wishes from fans, who voiced their concerns for the star in the comments section. One person said: “This scared me I thought something serious happened to Sting I was about ready to cry. Get well soon Sting and I’m looking forward to seeing your show in may in Oregon.”
Meanwhile, another added: “Get well soon @theofficialsting sending healing hugs and hope to see you in Scotland in June,” as someone else chimed in: “Message in a bottle get better.”
On that same day, Sting also posted an update himself, assuring fans that he was ‘steadily improving’ but had been diagnosed with a ‘temporary throat infection’. “Thanks so much for all of the well wishes,” the Wallsend-born star wrote on January 22.
“I am steadily improving from a temporary throat infection which has prevented me from singing, though I’m looking forward to resuming my performances and rescheduled shows soon. Love, Sting.”
It was not disclosed what infection Sting was suffering from, nor did he describe his symptoms. However, the star’s admission came amidst concerns over a ‘quademic’ in the UK, as four significant illnesses took hold this past winter.
Coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and norovirus were among the bugs of concern, with the latter experiencing a surge that was double the usual outbreak level expected for this season. While norovirus is famously dubbed the ‘winter vomiting bug’ because it causes nausea and diarrhoea, flu, coronavirus, and RSV can all give rise to a sore throat.
For this reason, it is challenging to distinguish between these three illnesses. Testing is the only way to know to determine a diagnosis.
Dr Gareth Nye, a Biomedical Science lecturer at the University of Salford, previously told the Express: “Norovirus has a very particular range of symptoms with vomiting, sickness and diarrhoea being present. Coronavirus, RSV and flu have overlapping symptoms, having the tell-tale loss of smell and taste. Without testing, however, it is incredibly difficult to say for certain which of these three infections you have.
“…The advice is always the same: if you feel unwell, you should remain isolated as much as possible. Masks remain a very good method of preventing further infections. Vaccines for flu and coronavirus can help those people more vulnerable and should always be taken when offered.”
Thankfully, Sting made his first comeback at the FireAid charity concert on January 30 in a bid to help raise funds for communities wrecked by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Since then, he’s also appeared with Shaggy on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon to perform their new song, Til A Mawnin.
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