Help protect yourself from winter bugs

As winter bugs and flu hit the city, health leaders are urging people to protect themselves by going back to basics.

Apart from having a flu jab, good hand hygiene is the main way to prevent flu and other viruses such as the winter vomiting bug from spreading.

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria and stops them passing to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as colds, flu, food poisoning or norovirus.

Jo Harding, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing at NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“Thorough hand washing is an effective and simple way to stay well and protect others around you.

“For most of us, winter illnesses such as flu or sickness and diarrhoea are very unpleasant but relatively short lived. However, for young children, older people and those with other health problems, they can be quite serious. Good personal hygiene, is an essential way to reduce the spread of these illnesses to friends and loved ones.

“You should wash your hands and under your finger nails after handling raw food, before eating or handling cooked food, after using the toilet and after handling pets. Ideally, you should use soap and warm water and take about 20 seconds.

“These simple measures can make a big difference and will help protect you, your family and those around you.”

For more information or advice, please visit the NHS website – www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands

 

This post is based on a press release issued by NHS Leeds