7 ways to stop catching a cold when socialising

It's time for celebrations and seeing lots of family and friends, but don't start 2023 feeling terrible

- PHILIPPA KAYE

Oh, it's good to be back in the season of parties and social gatherings! After two years of the Christmas and party season being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, parties are in full swing.

Good food, good drink, lots of good company (I hope!), but that also means there are plenty of opportunities for you to be exposed to bugs. So how can you protect yourself from starting 2023 coughing, sneezing and spluttering?

1 GET VACCINATED

If you're eligible for a flu vaccine or COVID-19 booster vaccine, or if you haven't completed or even started your COVID-19 vaccinations, then it isn't too late. The flu vaccine protects against four strains of flu. And while there still are other viruses around, these vaccines give protection against infections, which can make you seriously unwell.

2 KEEP CLEAN