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Personal hygiene is really important in reducing your the chances of getting the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus, or passing it on to others:

Wash and dry your hands frequently

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and dry them for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Wash your hands before preparing food and eating or smoking; after coughing, sneezing, wiping children’s noses, visiting the toilet or changing nappies.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a bin (if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve – not your hands).

Remember to wash your hands afterwards.

Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Germs spread that way.

Stay away from other people if you or they are sick

If you become unwell, stay away from other people.

Try to stay a metre away from sick people to reduce the spread of germs.

Reduce time spent in crowded settings.

Contamination and cleaning

Regularly clean flat surfaces such as bathroom sinks, bedside cabinets, desks and table tops where germs can live for up to 48 hours. Wipe them down with a household disinfectant.

If you've got flu symptoms

Stay at home until essentially well, that is not sneezing and coughing as this is how the virus spreads. This is usually around three to four days after symptoms start, but may be up to a week.

If your condition worsens

Seek medical advice by PHONING Healthline 0800 611 116 or your healthcare provider first to avoid potentially infecting others.