Seven ways to avoid flu and cold this winter after confirmed UK outbreaks
A hygiene expert has shared with the Mirror his top tips on avoiding nasty illnesses this winter after new flu hotspots were detected in Britain.
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed in its latest virus surveillance update that two confirmed influenza outbreaks had been reported in England between November 13 and November 19.
Temperatures are also taking a sharp dive across the nation, with an official winter health warning from the agency in place over the next few days. With cold and flu season well underway, you might be tempted to believe that catching a bug is inevitable - but one expert in hygiene has said there are plenty of precautions you can take to stop that happening.
Explaining the link between winter and catching viruses, Jamie Woodhall, Technical & Innovations Manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene, told the Mirror: "As people congregate at festive events and spend more time indoors to escape the cold, the risk of spreading airborne viruses, such as the flu, is heightened. This is particularly true with people in close proximity, as infected individuals may release viral droplets into the air when coughing, sneezing or even talking."
Here are his seven top hygiene tips for dealing with winter cold and flu:
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Wash and dry your hands properly
Always washing and drying is a good idea all year round - but amid a seasonal surge in flu cases, a robust hand hygiene routine is one of the best ways to avoid falling ill. A total of that 80% of diseases are transmitted through poor hand hygiene, according to public health scientists in Canada. Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water, for a duration of 20-25 seconds can go a long way in reducing transmission. Drying hands thoroughly after washing also prevents the spread of potentially harmful germs.
While you might think a bottle of hand sanitiser does the same job, Jamie explained that using soap and water is vital for protecting your health. He said: "Soap doesn't just 'kill' bacteria and viruses, it stops them bonding to our skin so they are washed off more easily, That's why washing hands and sanitising hands are completely different processes, and why you need lots of warm water, soap lather, and time."
Keep your surfaces clean
Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are regularly touched by multiple hands or objects, to reduce cross contamination risks. The hygiene expert commented: "It's just as important to think of others when we fall ill as it is to try and avoid picking up seasonal illnesses. By isolating, minimising contact with shared surfaces and ensuring we practice good hygiene practices we can break the chain of infection and minimise the risk to everyone."
Hands away from your face
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. You might not even realise you're doing this - according to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, people touch their faces more than 20 times an hour on average.
Jamie from Initial Washroom Hygiene said: "Along with directly inhaling airborne droplets, viral transmission is most likely to occur as a result of poor hand hygiene, allowing viruses such as influenza to enter the body via our mucus membranes (usually the mouth and nose). By avoiding or minimising contact between your hands and your mouth you can significantly reduce the likelihood of picking up viruses via this route."
Don't miss out on sleep
Get plenty of fluids and sleep and eat a nutritious diet to best support your immune system. Doctors recommend at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day, while the NHS Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day.
Coughs and sneezes spread diseases
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing , using a tissue or your elbow - not your hands! Immediately dispose of the tissue and wash your hands before touching any additional surfaces (Catch it, Bin it). Encourage this behaviour in your children to keep the whole family healthy.
Sharing isn't always caring
If there's an illness going around work, home or school, avoid sharing items such as towels, toys, cutlery, cups, plates, and kitchen utensils with others.
Take precautions
If you feel it's necessary, wear a mask when out in public to lessen your chance of catching or spready a virus. If you're sick, try to isolate yourself from others until you feel better.
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