Wash hands to help stop spread of winter virus | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Wash hands to help stop spread of winter virus

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding the public what actions they can take to help prevent catching seasonal flu as it continues to circulate this winter.

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Health Protection, PHA, advises, “Even after you have received the flu vaccine, it is still important to maintain good hygiene.

“This will help to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading winter viruses such as flu and norovirus. Hand washing with soap and warm water is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections, as well as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposing of it quickly and carefully in a bin.

“If you do get flu, the PHA’s advice is to stay at home and don’t spread your infection to others, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies if they make you feel more comfortable. Avoid visits to friends or relatives in hospital or residential and nursing homes when you or they have symptoms.

“Receiving the seasonal flu vaccine is still the best way to help protect yourself and others from getting the virus, so if you are in an ‘at risk’ group or pregnant get the vaccine now. It takes approximately 10 days to develop protection against flu following vaccination,” she added.

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Posted by on Mar 3 2015. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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