Protect yourself and others from spread of infection
The best way to protect yourself and others from infection is to avoid close contact with people who are ill. General advice on avoiding infection is given below.
If you feel unwell with cold symptoms, cough or fever, you should try to avoid contact with other people. Do not go to work, school or pre-school. This applies even if you only feel slightly unwell. It is important that you do not risk infecting others.
Stay at home for as long as you feel unwell. If your condition gets worse and you are unable to care for yourself at home, please call 1177 for healthcare advice. Do not return to work or school for at least two days after you have recovered.
Older people are at greater risk of serious illness, and so it is important not to visit people in hospital or care homes. If your work involves caring for older people, do not go to work if you have a cough or a cold.
Wash your hands often
Our hands are a good environment for infectious agents. The infection is transmitted to others when we shake hands. So, wash your hands often with soap and hot water, for at least 20 seconds.
Always wash your hands when you get home or into work, before meals, when preparing food, after toilet use, and when your hands are visibly dirty. Use hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available.
