Havering Council is dedicated to helping residents stay healthy and connected this winter.
This can be more challenging during the colder months, and so we are sharing some key tips to not only keep well and warm, but also detail the support available and provide more information if you need it.
Be safe, healthy and happy
There are lots of steps you can take to help keep you and your family safe and well during the winter.
- Staying well this winter - if you feel unwell visit 111 online or dial 111 for help. In the case of an emergency dial 999
- You can enter your postcode into the NHS website to find a GP. Make sure you keep your prescription medicines up to date, and request repeat prescriptions in advance of any bank holidays
- For information on loneliness, visit the Campaign to End Loneliness or Age UK
- We have local mental health and wellbeing support in the borough
- In the first instance, pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with a range of minor health concerns such as coughs, colds and tummy troubles. They will also tell you if you need to see a GP or other healthcare professional
- Antibiotics do not work on viral infections like coughs, colds and flu. Don’t ask for antibiotics if you don’t need them, to ensure they work more effectively when you do need them
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap regularly to reduce the risk of picking up, or spreading infections, particularly before you eat, when arriving home or after blowing your nose
- If hand wash facilities are not available, then use hand sanitizer for more protection from respiratory viruses, but remember than hand sanitizer will not protect against norovirus
- Always use a tissue to trap the germs when you cough or sneeze, then bin the used tissue quickly and wash your hands
- Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it’s more common and can be more serious, in groups such as the very young or older people. Check out the NHS website for more information on what to look out for.
Infectious Diseases – Advice on prevention and management of illness
Whilst infectious diseases circulate throughout the year, there is often an increased transmission in the winter months owing social contact more often taking place indoors, allowing viruses to pass more easily between people.
Prevention
- Respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses spread easily, stay at home where possible to prevent onward transmission
- Practice good hygiene: wash hands frequently, use tissues for coughs/sneezes, and dispose of tissues promptly
- Vaccination, when available, is recommended to protect those at higher risk of getting seriously ill from viral infections.
Influenza (‘Flu)
Symptoms are:
- Sudden high fever
- Body aches
- Exhaustion
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Sleep difficulties
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive issues such as diarrhoea and stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Children may also experience ear pain and decreased activity.
‘Flu symptoms typically improve on their own, but the virus can severely affect some individuals.
Self-care
- Rest and keep warm.
- Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to if uncomfortable or in distress.
- Drink water to prevent dehydration.
- Consult a pharmacist for additional flu remedies and advice.
The NHS has advice on how to manage flu symptoms.
Prevention
In addition to the general preventative advice above, the ‘flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter, but you can get it later.
Adults in the groups below are offered vaccination along with children aged 2-3 years, school-aged children (Reception - year 11) and those with certain health conditions (info on children’s ‘flu vaccination).
Adults can get the free NHS ‘flu vaccine if they:
- are aged 65 or over (including if you will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a ‘flu vaccine through their employer.
If none of the above criteria apply, and you are interested in ‘flu vaccination a number of high street providers offer the service at a cost to the individual.
COVID 19
Symptoms
- high temperature or chills (shivering)
- persistent cough
- loss or change in sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- body aches
- headache
- sore throat
- nasal congestion or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- nausea or vomiting.
Self-care
- rest Well
- stay Hydrated
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
- a teaspoon of honey may help ease your cough—but avoid giving honey to babies under 12 months
- if you’re feeling breathless, try turning the heating down or opening a window for fresh air
- breathe slowly through your nose and out through your mouth with pursed lips, as if gently blowing out a candle.
- adjust your posture:
- Sit upright in a chair to make breathing easier
- Relax your shoulders to prevent tension
- Lean forward slightly and rest your hands on your knees or a stable surface like a chair for added support.
Prevention
In addition to the general preventative advice detailed above, COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you are at increased risk from severe COVID-19.
You or your child may be offered a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
- aged 65 years old or over
- aged 6 months to 64 years old and are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
- living in a care home for older adults
- a frontline health or social care worker
- are pregnant.
Norovirus
Symptoms
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.
Self-care
- The NHS has information on managing norovirus symptoms and when to seek further advice
- Get advice from 111 if you’re worried about a baby under 12 months, if your child stops feeding, or if you or your child has diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days.
Prevention
There is no vaccination available to protect against Norovirus infection.
- Washing hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop norovirus from spreading. Remember – hand gels are not effective against norovirus
- Remember to stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours
- It is very important to avoid visiting hospitals or care homes when symptomatic and for 48 hours following the last episode of vomiting/diarrhoea.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Symptoms
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus, typically manifesting as mild cold-like symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose, cough, and sneezing. Most individuals recover independently within 1-2 weeks, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.
High risk groups include:
- Infants under 6 months old
- Young children born prematurely
- Adults over 75 years
- Babies, children and adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
- Tobacco smokers and babies exposed to tobacco smoke.
Further information about Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - NHS is available from the NHS.
Self-care
No specific treatment exists for RSV; management focuses on symptom relief:
- Ensure adequate hydration and use paracetamol for fever and discomfort
- Utilize saline nose drops for infants with nasal congestion
- Annually, high-risk children may receive an antibody injection to prevent severe bronchiolitis.
Contact your GP or NHS 111 if symptoms intensify or if you have concerns about a young child or an elderly person, as immediate medical attention may be required.
Prevention
To prevent RSV transmission:
- Maintain good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and cleaning of surfaces
- Avoid close contact between newborns and those with colds or flu
- Pregnant women are advised to vaccinate after 28 weeks to protect the new-born in the initial months.
Coughs and colds
Coughs and colds are very common during winter. They can often be treated without seeing a GP.
Prevention
There is no vaccination available to protect against many of the viruses that cause coughs and cold-like symptoms. Practice good hand hygiene and reduced social contact (where possible) to prevent onwards transmission.
Self-care
- Rest and try to get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated with water or diluted juice, and gargle saltwater for a sore throat (not suitable for children)
- If you feel unwell, and particularly if you have a high temperature try to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you can
- Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen ease aches, while decongestants help with a blocked nose
- Decongestants aren't for kids under 6 and should only be used for a maximum of 5 days by children aged 6 to 12
- Be cautious with cough and cold medications; they might contain similar ingredients to painkillers, posing overdose risks. Some aren't suitable for children, babies, or pregnant women (please read the directions on the pack)
- Consult a pharmacist for advice on suitable medicines for colds and coughs
- Supplements like vitamin C, echinacea, or garlic have limited evidence in preventing or speeding up recovery from colds.
Warm Spaces
The Council is working alongside voluntary, community and local organisations and businesses to set up a network of Warm Spaces across the borough this winter.
These include libraries, leisure centres, community centres, community hubs and other places. They will offer residents a warm welcome and a comfortable space to share with others.
Some venues will also offer hot drinks, activities, and other services such as free Wi-Fi. Warm Spaces will be heated, safe and friendly places, where residents can comfortably spend time reading, studying or chatting with others.
Planning for and responding to cold weather
Every year as temperatures drop over the winter period, cold weather affects health and wellbeing.
Cold weather and hazards such as snow and ice increase the likelihood of falls and injuries.
Cold weather can also cause your heart to work harder than usual and increases blood pressure.
The chance of catching flu also increases during winter months and can be very serious for older people and people who have certain health conditions. Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent more serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
Here are tips to stay warm and look after yourself during cold weather:
- Try to heat rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C
- Making sure you have sufficient food and medicine in case you are unable to go out when it’s cold and icy
- Take simple measures to reduce draughts in your home. You can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply. Depending on what you can afford, options could include insulation of water pipers to prevent them from freezing; loft insulation; internal, cavity and external wall insulation; and double (or triple) window glazing.
- Keep your windows closed at night but open your window for short periods during the day to allow ventilation and to prevent mould
- Do not cover the vents and do not cook with windows closed
- Wear several layers of thinner clothing; this can keep you warmer than one thicker layer
- Exercising – try not to sit still for more than an hour or so, but if you find it difficult to move about, stretching your arms and legs can also keep you warm. If you have visitors, it can help stop the spread of germs to ventilate the room for a few minutes before and after they arrive; you might be more comfortable leaving the window open during their visit, if it’s not too cold
- Wearing good-fitting slippers with a good grip indoors and shoes with a good grip outside to prevent slips, trips and falls
- Eat well and stay hydrated. It can sometimes be difficult to keep up the motivation to prepare meals in winter, but our diet, including how much we eat, is an important part of staying healthy and well
- Make sure your household appliances are safe and working well. Regular servicing of your appliances can keep them working efficiently and for longer, saving you money
- Look after others by checking on older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses to make sure they are safe, warm and well
- Get financial support. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It’s worthwhile claiming all the benefits you are entitled to before winter sets in.
The Cold Weather Plan for England includes advice and guidance on keeping well and staying warm during cold and harsh weather.
For more tips on staying well this winter, visit our winter webpage.
You can help keep children well by:
- Ensuring their routine vaccinations are up to date and taking up the offer of additional vaccinations, including the seasonal flu vaccine
- Teaching them how to wash their hands and cover their mouths and nose when they cough and sneeze
- Finding out more about the common infections children can get
- Support your child’s school or nursery by keeping them at home when they are unwell.
Cost of Living
As the cost of living continues to rise across the country, Havering Council recognises that our residents are going to be feeling the pinch this winter.
We have created a webpage for all of the support that may be out there for you this winter and beyond, all in one handy place.
There you can find links to the Havering Helps assistance scheme, council tax support, debt management services, energy grants, food banks and community hubs, as well as online benefits calculators so you can be sure you’re receiving all the support you are entitled to.
Community Support
The Havering Community Hub is where communities can connect in a number of different ways.
It has information on how to access financial help, local charities, food banks and events to keep active.
Look out for neighbours, particularly those who could become isolated over Christmas.
Information is available if you are worried about someone who is - or could become homeless.
Gritting
The Council’s winter roads maintenance service have vehicles ready for snow or ice should it arrive and a snow plough ready to clear roads.
Residents are advised to take extra care, and in heavy snow only travel if you have to.
We’ve got:
- Five gritting lorries on stand-by
- 2,000 tonnes of salt in our depot – enough to grit up to over 380 miles of roads and sufficient for almost three weeks of continuous snowfall
- Teams on-call 24/7 including weekends .
When Havering is hit with severe cold weather, as many primary roads as possible will be gritted, with priority given to bus routes and roads linking motorways and hospitals.
Once priority roads are clear, the team will look at side roads (secondary routes) to help support the scheduled rubbish collections can still take place and enable emergency services to get about.
Further support
- You may be eligible to get help with heating your home through the Winter Fuel Payment and can find information on making your home warmer on the GOV.UK website.
- Find Food banks in your area
School closures
In severe weather local schools may be affected.
Parents are advised to check individual schools' websites, social media and Time 107.5 FM for the latest updates.