Protect yourself from colds and flu

Risk factor: everyone else has a cold

This is when you're far more prone to infection, so take active steps to protect yourself. ‘Just increasing your levels of hygiene around the house can help break the chain of disease transmission,' explains Professor John Oxford, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at St Mary's Hospital, London. ‘We catch these viruses in two ways. We either breathe them in after someone coughs or sneezes, or we touch a surface where they have settled, then transfer them to our eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses can survive for several hours, so good hygiene is important.'

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