Stay well Easter 2025 | News and events

NHS tips for staying well during the Easter school holidays

Local NHS leaders have shared their top tips to help people stay well during the Easter holidays.

As spring arrives, cases of Norovirus, colds and flu are still being reported, so it’s important we all take simple steps to reduce our risk of catching these illnesses. Washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water is vital, and if you do get ill, please help others stay healthy by avoiding contact with others until your symptoms have stopped. If you have a stomach bug, please wait at least 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped before going back out to visit places like workplaces, social events, nurseries or holiday clubs. Please don’t visit loved ones in hospital if you’re unwell and reschedule any in-person health or care appointments.

You can help you and your family stay well by being prepared for minor illnesses and ailments. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked with pain relief, antihistamines, and anti-diarrhoea medicines for any sudden illnesses. With the children off school, it's also a good idea to have a basic first aid kit filled with plasters, antiseptics, and bandages for any injuries or accidents.

Dr Gary Howsam, Chief Clinical Improvement Officer, said: "We want to help you stay well during the Easter holidays.

“You can look after yourself and your family by making sure you plan ahead. Your community pharmacist will be happy to advise on medicines and first aid items to stock, ensuring you are well-prepared to handle minor illnesses and injuries at home.

“By following simple steps like these, we can all do our bit to ensure that we and our families are happy and healthy over the Easter holidays."

If you or a family member feels unwell, and you’re not sure what to do, visit NHS 111 online or telephone NHS 111 for help and advice. NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Further information on staying well this spring is available at https://www.cpics.org.uk/well-together . The latest advice on treating common illnesses can be found on NHS.uk or by downloading the NHS App. 

Helpful things to know:

Norovirus: 

• Norovirus, also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant but usually goes away in about two days. 
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water is the best way to stop Norovirus spreading; alcohol hand gels do not kill Norovirus.  
• It is important to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. 

Coughs: 

• Coughs can usually be treated at home with common over the counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen.
• You can ask a pharmacist about cough syrups or medicines to help you cough less. 
• You can expect a cough to last within three to four weeks.   

Common cold: 

• Cold symptoms can come on gradually, and may include a runny or blocked nose, a sore throat and sneezing. 
• These can usually be treated at home with common over the counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen. 
• You should begin to feel better in about one to two weeks. 

Flu: 

• Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're eligible to. 
• The flu can usually be treated at home with common over the counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen. 
• To reduce the risk of spreading flu, wash your hands often with warm, soapy water, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 
• It can take up to two weeks to start to feel better.