Catch it, bin it, kill it to stop the spread of flu germs

During this cold-weather season, are you doing everything you can to protect yourself and others from spreading germs this winter?

The ongoing NHS 'Catch it. Bin it. Kill it' campaign is highlighting how easy it is to catch flu germs, which if not caught, can spread quickly and live on surfaces for hours. Particularly vulnerable are pregnant women, children under five and adults over 65 years. The virus can worsen long-term health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and asthma, so it's important that if you fall within these groups that you get your flu jab to reduce the risk of catching flu.

In the run-up to the festive period, Public Health England reported 1,496 cases of influenza (source: the UK Severe Influenza Surveillance System)

The best defences against the flu virus this winter is to get the flu jab (if you're in a vulnerable group), wrap up warm indoors and outdoors, and practice good hand hygiene to help prevent serious health problems.

Follow these steps to Catch it, Kill it, Bin it:

• Use tissues to catch germs when you cough or sneeze
• Bin used tissues as quickly as possible
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water to kill germs
• Call your doctor immediately if you have flu symptoms

To find out more about how to stay well this winter click here