For those showing symptoms of a respiratory infection, the UKHSA also advises staying at home and avoiding contact with others until you no longer feel unwell
Brits have been urged to wear masks again as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) releases updated guidance to help people stay safe this flu season. Flu season began earlier than usual this year, raising concerns due to the emergence of a drifted influenza A(H3N2) strain.
The UKHSA strongly recommends getting the flu jab, noting early data suggests it offers good protection against hospitalisation for both children and adults. And it comes days after Spain issued the same guidance regarding wearing masks.
But the agency has also shared a series of measures to reduce the risk of catching or spreading respiratory illnesses such as flu, the common cold and Covid-19.
These include:
- Getting the flu jab
- Staying home if you feel unwell
- Airing out your home when having visitors
- Practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces like door handles, and coughing into an elbow or disposable tissue
- Wearing a mask when in close contact with someone at high risk, or in crowded and enclosed spaces
Existing guidelines emphasise that wearing a well-fitting mask while ill can significantly reduce the number of viral particles released from an infected person’s nose and mouth.
Masks can also help protect the wearer from picking up other respiratory viruses.
For those showing symptoms of a respiratory infection, the UKHSA advises staying at home and avoiding contact with others until you no longer feel unwell.
The flu vaccine is available for free on the NHS for at-risk groups including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions.
Pregnant women, who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, or transmitting infection to the baby if infected near delivery.
They are also advised to receive the whooping cough vaccine to help protect their newborn.
Guidance for parents remains unchanged: it’s acceptable to send a child to school with a minor cough or common cold. However, children should stay home if they have a temperature of 38C or higher, or if they feel too unwell to take part in normal activities.
Health and education experts widely agree that regular school attendance is crucial for children’s long-term outcomes, supporting their physical and mental health, wellbeing and social development.
This year, school-aged children from reception to Year 11 are being offered the nasal spray flu vaccine at school.
Parents should look out for the consent form-either digital or on paper-and return it promptly.
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