Help call to beat winter bug problem

Hospital bosses are calling on people to help them combat increasing levels of flu.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is helping to promote Public Health England’s ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’ campaign.

Historically, flu rates go up in the winter and higher numbers of people suffer from norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The campaign focuses on good respiratory and hand hygiene as a simple way to stop bugs spreading. People are urged to wash their hands regularly and use a tissue to catch a cough or sneeze and to throw used tissues away Catch It. Bin It. Kill It.

Dr Shaz Wahid, the Trust’s medical director, said: “Our local NHS is experiencing severe pressure on services.

“By following the simple but effective ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ steps, everyone can play a part in reducing the spread of winter bugs. In keeping themselves healthy, they can help to relieve some of the pressure, leaving frontline NHS staff to concentrate on those who are very sick.”

Every year, people most at risk from flu are encouraged to protect themselves by having the free seasonal flu vaccination.

Those in at risk groups should be contacted by their GP.

You should have the flu vaccine if:

*You are aged 65 years or over *You are pregnant *If you have a serious medical condition

*If you live in a residential or nursing home,

*If you are the main carer for an older or disabled person.