Brits are being urged to do a wide variety of things to avoid spreading viruses as hosptialisations still remain high
A variety of illnesses are leading to hospitalistions across the country(Image: Getty Images)
While flu cases across the UK are beginning to balance out, following a period of sharp increase week-on-week, the NHS is still reporting high figures of people being hospitalised with winter viruses. According to the latest data from the government, hospital admissions for the flu are now at a medium level, while Covid-19 hospitalisations are at a ‘baseline’ level.
The steadying out of viruses causing severe illness and hospitalisation has been attributed in part to NHS staff efforts to provide vaccinations to half a million more people against the flu when compared to the same period last year. Despite this, hospitals have reported to still remain busy throughout the winter period, with data from December 31 noting that around 95% of adult beds are taken up alongside 94,118 patients in hospital each day.
Data from the period also showed that, on average, 707 patients were in the hospital with Covid, alongside 285 patients in the hospital with norovirus in the week prior. While the spread of winter viruses is not as severe as it was in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year, people can still be at risk of catching and spreading respiratory illnesses.
Despite this, guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has provided a wide variety of ways to help avoid and prevent the spread of such illnesses.
Wearing face masks
While many may associate face masks with the pandemic and see them as irrelevant nowadays, the UKHSA has noted that face coverings are still an effective way to restrict the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and Covid-19.
The agency recommends that people use a ‘well-fitting mask’, which can assist in minimising the quantity of virus-laden droplets expelled from the mouth and nose into the surrounding air, thereby curtailing infection spread. The guidance also emphasises that face coverings can help shield people from direct exposure to respiratory pathogens.
Getting vaccinated
The flu jab works by priming your immune system to identify and combat the influenza virus before it can take hold. The vaccine introduces a small quantity of deactivated flu virus into your body, which prompts your natural defences to respond.
After receiving the jab, it typically takes around 10 days for it to become fully effective and provide adequate protection. It’s crucial to understand that while the vaccine does contain an inactive flu virus, it cannot cause you to contract the flu.
You may be eligible for the vaccine if you require additional protection or if someone in your household does. If you’re entitled to a free flu jab, there are several ways to obtain it.
For instance, you can reach out to your GP directly to schedule a vaccination appointment, or you can arrange an appointment at a pharmacy either online or through the NHS app, provided you’re aged 18 or above. Certain pharmacies also provide the NHS vaccine free of charge and accept walk-ins without the necessity for a prior appointment.
However, this service isn’t available at all pharmacies, but you can find your nearest pharmacy offering the free vaccine here. Further details about the flu vaccine, including its components, can be found on the NHS website here.
Staying at home if you’re unwell
If you are suffering from any symptoms of a virus, such as a blocked nose, high temperature, nausea, or diarrhoea, it may be best to stay home wherever possible until you feel better. In many cases, when roughly 24 hours after you begin to feel better, you are less likely to be contagious.
However, keep in mind that your body may not have completely gotten rid of the virus even if you do still feel better and you may still spread it to others.
Opening a window while indoors
The UKHSA highlights that opening a window for fresh air while meeting other people indoors can help reduce contagious viruses from spreading. This is because ventilation can help remove stale air as well as remove any air that contains virus particles.
However, the UKHSA has highlighted that before doing this, you should double-check to see if anyone in the room is sensitive to the cold and to keep an eye on the overall temperature of the room.
Keep good hygiene
Practising basic proper hygiene can dramatically stop you from spreading viruses to other people, especially viruses that are spread through droplets such as when you sneeze or cough. The UKHSA advises that you cough into a bent elbow or use a tissue and dispose of it before washing your hands.
When washing your hands, it’s advised to do so with warm water and soap wherever possible and to frequently clean your surroundings, paying extra attention to frequently touched surfaces such as door handles.