FOCUS ON Avoiding GERMS

Staying well has become our biggest priority. Fight the nasties with this expert insight

- ALI HORSFALL

As the current global events have sadly shown us, germs are the invisible enemy that have the potential to make us very poorly. ‘Although we can’t see them, germs spread quickly and easily from person to person or by touching surfaces,’ says Healthspan’s Dr Sarah Brewer. To stay healthy, ramp up hygiene habits in the home and avoid close contact with others – particularly those showing signs of being sick.

CONTAGION DANGER

There are more than 200 different cold viruses going around and most of us will catch one or two of these annually but make a speedy recovery after a couple of days of feeling run down. Each year, more than one in 10 of us will also catch flu and although it’s a common illness, it can be deadly. However, the virus taking centre stage right now is coronavirus (COVID-19) – the respiratory illness that has claimed the lives of thousands.

WATCH FOR

If you have these two COVID-19 symptoms, don’t leave the house and use the online coronavirus service for further advice, says the NHS.

A high temperature = feeling hot to touch on your chest or back

A new, continuous cough = coughing for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

6 STEPS TO STAY WELL

1 When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve – not your hands.

2 Make sure that you dispose of any used tissues in a bin straight away.

3 Wash your hands often with soap and warm water often for at least 20 seconds, include the backs of the hands, the thumbs, the webs of your fingers and under nails.