Taking care with infections

How to reduce your risk

When to seek medical help

To prevent the spread of infection: 

• check with your doctor about having the flu vaccine 
• ask people close to you to consider having the flu vaccine
• ask family or friends with a cold, flu or other contagious infection (e.g. measles, chickenpox, cold sores) to wait until they are well before visiting 
• as far as practical, avoid close contact with people you live with if they are unwell 
• try to avoid crowded places, such as shopping centres or public transport in peak hour 
• prepare and store food properly to avoid foodborne illnesses and food poisoning 
• wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food and eating, and after using the toilet 
• eat freshly cooked foods and avoid raw fish, seafood, meat, eggs and soft cheeses 
• wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

Contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• a temperature of 38°C or higher
• chills or shivering
• sweating, especially at night
• burning or stinging feeling
  when urinating
• a severe cough or sore throat
• shortness of breath
• vomiting that lasts more than
  a few hours
• severe abdominal pain,
  constipation or diarrhoea
• unusual bruising or bleeding,
  such as nosebleeds, blood in your urine or black bowel movements
• ongoing faintness or dizziness
  and rapid heartbeat
• any tenderness, redness or
  swelling around the site of the
  intravenous chemotherapy device
• any sudden decline in your health.