• Consult your doctor promptly if you develop respiratory symptoms such as fever, malaise, chills, headache, joint pain, dizziness, rigors, cough, sore throat and runny nose – EARLY TREATMENT is the KEY.
• Build up good body immunity. This means taking a proper diet, having regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.
• Maintain good personal hygiene. Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
• Wear mask if you develop a runny nose, sore throat and cough.
• Keep a face mask handy if going to crowded public & poorly ventilated place.
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly. Use liquid soap for hand washing and disposable towel for drying hands.
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
• Regularly wash your hands, particularly after touching communal objects such as hand railings, lift buttons, and door knobs and handles.
• Do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth without washing your hands first with soap and water.
• Carefully dispose of materials used to wipe respiratory secretions e.g. paper handkerchief – use disposable paper handkerchiefs, not cotton type.
• Do not share towels.
• Keep home environment clean and cleanse furniture properly.
• Maintain good indoor ventilation - open windows.
• Put soiled tissues into a rubbish bin with lid and then wash hands thoroughly.
• Avoid contact with live poultry or birds especially in children. Wash hands immediately after handling them.
• If hand washing facilities are not available, wash hands with a disinfectant containing 65% - 95% alcohol.
• Avoid visiting crowded or poorly ventilated places.

If you have looked after sick family members with respiratory tract infections:

• When feeling unwell, consult a doctor.
• You should follow instructions given by the doctor including the use of drugs as prescribed and taking adequate rest appropriate.
• Adhere to good personal hygiene practices.
• Put on masks to reduce the chance of spread of infection.