Reducing the spread of respiratory infections

How infections spread

Respiratory infections can spread easily between people.

It is important to know the symptoms of respiratory infections so you can take action to reduce the risk of spreading them to other people.

When someone with a respiratory infection, such as flu or COVID-19 breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release small droplets containing the virus.

You can catch it by breathing in these droplets, or by touching surfaces covered in them and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

You are more likely to catch it indoors and in crowded places.

You can still catch or spread COVID-19 if you:

• do not have symptoms
• are fully vaccinated
• have had the virus before

There are simple things you can do to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk from catching or becoming seriously ill from infections.

Hand and respiratory hygiene

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses. 

For advice on hand hygiene and how best to wash your hands, visit:

• Hand washing and hand hygiene

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is a simple way to help stop illness from spreading. Make sure to wash your hands afterwards.

Be aware that surfaces that are touched by lots of people are most likely to have viruses on them, so use hand sanitiser before touching surfaces such as:

• trolley handles
• chip and pin machines
• door handles
• handrails
• tables and chairs
• public toilets

Get vaccinated

Vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu.

If you are eligible for vaccination, you should make yourself aware of your own GP surgery’s or community pharmacist’s vaccination arrangements. 

• Immunisation and vaccinations

They provide good protection against hospitalisation and death.

They also reduce the risk of long-term symptoms.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Ventilation

Meeting outdoors vastly reduces the risk of airborne transmission, but this may not always be possible.

If you’re indoors, good ventilation is important.

Ventilation is letting fresh air in and removing stale air.

Opening a door, window or window vent, even for a few minutes at a time, helps remove older stale air that could contain virus particles and reduces the chance of spreading infections.

If you’re travelling in a vehicle with people outside of your household, open the windows to let fresh air in.

Safety at work

Employers and employees should take measures in the workplace to avoid the spread of infection.

Measures could include:

• Flexible / hybrid working arrangements in line with individual and organisational needs
• hygiene and sanitary measures
• restricting or reducing the length of activities
• ventilation breaks during or between room usage.

Health and social care settings

It is particularly important to take measures to reduce the spread of respiratory infections in health and social care settings to keep patients, service users and staff safe.

These settings include:

• hospitals
• GP surgeries
• dental practices
• pharmacies
• high street opticians
• care homes

Face coverings

Although it is not a legal requirement, wearing a face covering in crowded places and healthcare settings can help reduce the spread of infections, particularly if you:

• are at higher risk of getting ill
• have symptoms of a respiratory infection
• have tested positive for COVID-19