Top ways to stop a bug spoiling your Christmas and New Year

With only a few days to go until Christmas, Public Health England (PHE) North West is encouraging people to follow some simple steps to avoid spreading winter infections over the festive period.

At this time of year we see an increase in cases of illness caused by bugs that spread easily from person-to-person, including viruses which result in infectious diarrhoea, colds and flu.

Both flu and norovirus are highly infectious and easily transmitted from one person to another and can spread rapidly, especially in semi-closed environments where large numbers of people congregate close together, like care homes, schools, hospitals and hotels.

Here’s how to stop bugs spreading and spoiling Christmas:

For festive hand washing tips, watch this short video.

 

 

Feel unwell? Anyone with symptoms of flu or norovirus should stay at home until they are fully recovered and in the case of norovirus symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

If you’re concerned about your illness, phone your GP or NHS 111 rather than visit hospitals or doctors’ surgeries.

Regular thorough handwashing.
Good handwashing is an easy and effective way to prevent the spread of colds, flu and the viruses that cause diarrhoea and vomiting. Use soap and warm water, rubbing the front and back of hands and between fingers, rinse carefully with water and then dry hands thoroughly. Washing your hands properly should take at least 15 seconds. Handwashing is especially important after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating any food.

Set a good example.
Children need to be encouraged to wash their hands by being shown how to do it properly and having a good example set for them by adults.

If you’ve got a cold, use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, throw used tissues away as soon as possible and wash your hands. Try not to cough and sneeze directly into your hands, but wash them immediately if this is unavoidable.

Dr Richard Jarvis, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England North West, said:“We all love to get together with our friends and family over the Christmas period, which can make it particularly easy for bugs to spread from person to person, so it’s important that people know what they can do to halt the spread of infections.

“There are some simple precautions that we can all take to help prevent the spread of germs. These include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and disposing of the tissue as soon as possible. It’s also important to practice good hand hygiene like washing your hands after you’ve used a tissue, gone to the toilet or before preparing food.”