• Build up good body immunity. This means taking a proper diet, having regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking

• Maintain good personal hygiene. Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing

• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly. Use liquid soap for hand washing and disposable towel for drying hands

• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. If necessary, wash hands before touching them

• Do not share towels

• Use serving utensils at meal times

• Keep home environment clean. Wipe furniture (including telephone) regularly (at least once a day) with a piece of towel soaked with diluted household bleach (i.e. adding 1 part of household bleach to 99 parts of water), and then wipe with a piece of towel soaked with water

• Clean all drain outlets at home once a day. Pour a teaspoonful of 1:99 diluted household bleach down each drain outlet. After 5 minutes, rinse with water.

• Maintain good indoor ventilation

• Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation

• Consult your doctor promptly if you develop respiratory symptoms. The earlier you seek treatment, the higher your chances of recovery.

Caring for sick family members with respiratory tract infections:

• Persons who are unwell should consult a doctor

• They should follow instructions given by the doctor including the use of drugs as prescribed and taking adequate rest as appropriate

• Adhere to good personal hygiene practices

• Patients should put on masks to reduce the chance of spread of infection to carers

• Carers may also put on masks to reduce the chance of acquiring infection through the airways.