Cold and flu viruses spread easily from person to person – you can become infected either by breathing in tiny droplets containing the virus (produced when someone with the virus sneezes, coughs or speaks) or by touching a surface contaminated by the infected person, and then touching your nose or eyes.
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The following simple steps can help protect yourself and your family from colds and flu and stop the germs spreading:
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and water.
- Use a hand sanitiser to destroy the germs on your hands when soap and water are not available.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially the surfaces that people often touch with their hands (e.g. handles, taps and kitchen work surfaces).
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Put your used tissues in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Make sure that those at most risk from flu have a flu vaccination, to avoid complications like bronchitis and pneumonia.
How to tell whether you have a cold or the flu:
- With the flu, you are more likely to have a fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme tiredness and a dry cough.
- Cold symptoms are usually mild. With a cold, your main symptom is likely to be a blocked or runny nose.