PSA Wellbeing Zone

Avoid flu this winterYou can catch flu all year round, but it's especially common in winterwhen the colder months are harder on your immune system.

Here are some tips for avoiding flu this winter…

Flu is a highly infectious, unpleasant illness that spreads rapidly through the coughs

and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus. Symptoms include a high

temperature, sweats, aching muscles, coughs and headaches.

But for certain people, including anyone over 65, pregnant women and children with

underlying health conditions, it can be fatal. This is because people in these risk

groups are more likely to develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia.

Because of the seriousness of the illness, the NHS offers a free annual flu jab to people

in these categories.

If you aren’t eligible for a free jab, here are some ways to avoid the flu:

• Wash hands with soap and water regularly or alcohol-based hand gel.

• Use tissues - avoid muffling coughs and sneezes with your hands. When you

feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue instead and throw it away quickly.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth - germs can spread this way.

• Stay germ free in the office - pens can quickly collect and pass on winter bugs

so keep a personal set of stationery, as well as cleaning telephones, keyboards

and disinfecting desks regularly.

• Stay healthy - if you want your immune system to be in good enough shape to

fight off the flu and other germs, you need to stay healthy. Make sure you eat a

balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage your stress, and get plenty of sleep.

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