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 vaccines for the flu and COVID-19
• ask people close to you to consider having the flu and COVID-19 vaccines
• ask family or friends with a cold, COVID-19, flu or other contagious infection (e.g. cold sores, measles, chickenpox) 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 very crowded places, such as public transport in peak hour, where possible
• 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 foods (fish, seafood, meat and 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 (peeing)
• 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 (wee) or black bowel movements (poo)
• 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.