Four main infections are currently circulating — flu, Covid, the common cold, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), all of which tend to spike during colder months.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, October 21, the UKHSA shared a reminder for families feeling “under the weather,” offering a five-point checklist to help reduce the spread of infection.
The guidance includes:
- Staying at home if you feel unwell
- Washing your hands regularly
- Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue
- Opening windows to increase ventilation when meeting others indoors
- Considering wearing a face covering if you need to go out
The agency’s advice comes as health experts across Europe also call for renewed caution amid rising respiratory infections.
In Switzerland, epidemiologist Tanja Stadler, chair of the country’s Covid Scientific Task Force, told SonntagsZeitung that wearing a mask in crowded indoor areas such as public transport can significantly reduce virus transmission.
“In crowded, enclosed spaces, such as public transportation, it’s advisable for vulnerable people, those over 65 or with weakened immune systems,” Stadler said. “Even those who are not vulnerable can protect themselves and show solidarity with others.”
She added that making data on virus spread more accessible would help people make informed decisions to protect themselves.
Professor Marcel Tanner, an emeritus public health expert at the University of Basel, also supported mask use, saying:
“After everything we’ve learned, it makes sense for anyone with a cold to wear a mask, at least on public transport.”
With multiple respiratory viruses circulating at once, public health officials are urging simple preventative measures to reduce infection and protect the vulnerable this winter.
