Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England are reminding people in the North-East to take precautions against spreading flu as it begins to circulate in the community.
Dr Kirsty Foster, consultant in Health Protection for PHE North-East said: “As we’d expect at this time of year, we are seeing flu circulate more in the community, particularly in settings like hospitals, care homes and schools. For most people it is an unpleasant illness but for the most vulnerable in society – small children, elderly people, those with long-term health problems and pregnant women – it can be extremely dangerous.
“If you’re feeling under the weather and think it could be flu, seek advice from your pharmacist or NHS 111. Don’t visit vulnerable family and friends if they are in hospital or in care homes until you no longer have symptoms as you could pass it on to them.
“To help prevent flu spreading it’s also very important that you practice good respiratory hygiene if you have flu by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze, then putting the tissue straight into the bin, as well as washing your hands often. Good hand hygiene whether you have flu or not is also important to reduce your risk of catching it.”
Dr Craig Melrose, medical director, at NHS England Cumbria and the North-East, added: “It’s not too late to protect yourself against flu by getting vaccinated – if you are in a clinical risk group, pregnant, aged 65 and over or have certain caring responsibilities, you can still receive a free flu jab from your GP or from community pharmacies across the region.
“If you are unfortunate enough to fall ill there are lots of options – ranging from pharmacists who can provide free and quick advice to help treat symptoms at home, by taking over the counter medicines, to GP surgeries and NHS 111.
“Please remember to keep A&E for life-threatening and severe symptoms which come on suddenly.”
