Respiratory diseases are on the rise and threaten this winter to be the worse than previous years
Public Health Lincolnshire have seen an increase the amount of diseases like flu and coronavirus which is likely to continue
There's a chance this winter may be the worse than previous years for the spread of flu. It's after Public Health Lincolnshire have seen higher figures of flu and other respiratory diseases this year than previously.
This winter may be worse than previous years as diseases like flu and coronavirus are on the rise.
Public Health Lincolnshire have seen higher figures of respiratory diseases this year than the last 2 years and its thought to be because of extensive interaction.
Andy Fox is the Assistant Director and says there is areal concern for an outbreak in flu:
"We know it's tough for a lot of people at the moment. We know that it's hard for many people to keep their homes warm and we know that there's a lot of bugs out there that are circulating. There's, flu and, you know, COVID has not gone away, and we know that there's other concerns that people have in terms of circulating diseases.
"So very simply, it is a tough time for a lot of people, but there are some things that people can do, that we can all do just to be as healthy as we can and stay as safe as we can through this period."
Andy also stated the things that people should be doing this winter, in order to ease pressures on the public health sector, which may already be pushed:
"If you are eligible to get your vaccinations, so if you are 50 or over, anyone who's pregnant or anyone with a weakened immune system, or a long-term health condition, can get a coronavirus booster and a flu vaccine as well. These vaccines are safe and effective, and they offer really good protection from these viruses. I think, people have maybe thought that covid's done but It's really not done. It is still out there.
"Another thing we can all do is the basics, and they do work if you're feeling unwell. If you have that running nose, coughs and sneezes, and respiratory hygiene; catch it, bin it, kill it. It does work. If you can trap the cough, or the sneeze in a tissue and then bin the tissue, you'll kill the bug there that would otherwise perhaps infect people. It does work and it's really important also to stay away from people if you're unwell. You know, perhaps stay at home if you're able to and very importantly, if you can keep your home warm, if you can keep it heated to at least 18 degrees, and we know that's really hard for a lot of people at the moment, to work out how to do that in an affordable way. But if you can, it should be at least 18 degrees in the rooms that you regularly use. That will definitely help, especially if you have a health condition.
"There is one other thing, of course, which is if you do feel unwell, do get some advice, you can call NHS 111, or go online to 111.nhs.uk or even speak to a pharmacy or even your GP to see if you might need an appointment."