Protect your staff from winter illness

As flu and other winter illnesses have taken a hold in the area, Stockport NHS Clinical Commissioning Group have issued a reminder that GP appointments through Mastercall are available outside normal working hours and at the weekend in Stockport by calling your own GP practice as you would normally.

The winter flu season will continue into the new year, and with sick days costing on average £570 per employee for businesses in 2018 and over £1 billion for the UK economy, encourage your team to stay healthy and avoid spreading winter illnesses.

Winter flu

The flu virus is highly contagious, and workplaces are one area where illness can be very easily transmitted, as the virus can live on a hard surface for up to 24 hours.  Employers should encourage staff who are unwell to stay at home, to avoid spreading the disease to colleagues.

If you, or someone you care for, does come down with flu-like symptoms the advice is to get plenty of bed rest and stay well hydrated. Your local pharmacist can give advice on the best treatment and you can also call the free NHS helpline on 111 for advice.

Flu vaccines are still available, and people from at-risk groups such as asthmatics can access them for free.

Winter vomiting virus

Another common Winter bug is Norovirus, the so-called winter vomiting virus.  The first sign that you’ve got the bug is usually a sudden sick feeling followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea. It can also cause a raised temperature (over 38 degrees Celsius), headaches and aching limbs.

There is no specific cure, but most people make a full recovery after a couple of days without having to see a doctor, providing they stay well hydrated.  

Norovirus us more contagious than flu, so ill or looking after an infected person should wash their hands frequently with hot water and soap and disinfect any surfaces or objects the infected person has touched to prevent it spreading.  Finally stay at home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped to reduce the risk of passing the bug onto others.

However, if it lasts more than a few days or the symptoms get worse, contact your GP by phone for advice.  A&E and 999 should only be used for emergencies such as heavy blood loss, chest pains or loss of consciousness.