ITV Lorraine doctor says 'lurgy' is on the rise and people must do five things to avoid it

ITV's health expert Dr Amir Khan has shared his top five tips to combat the surge in viral infections, warning that 'antibiotics don't work' against the current wave of colds and flu. On his TikTok channel, Dr Khan highlighted the importance of personal hygiene and the immune system's role in fighting off illnesses.

He stressed: "I am not kidding when I say we are seeing high levels of viral infections, colds and flus going around, and there isn't much that we can do about it as doctors because antibiotics don't work and your own immune system will eventually fight them off. But here are five things that we could all do to reduce our risk of catching that dreaded lurgy."

Emphasising handwashing, he advised: "Number one Easy peasy. Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or preparing food. Also, wash your hands after using the bathroom. I know I shouldn't have to say it, but you have to do it. Wiping your nose. Wash your hands coming into contact with someone who has a cold wash your hands. Remember the main way cold viruses are spread are through droplets that can get onto your hands, so wash them frequently."

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Dr Khan issues a stark warning about colds and how they invade our bodies, emphasising the importance of keeping hands off your face: "Number two. This is really hard, but avoid touching your face a lot. Cold viruses can spread from our hands into our eyes, nose or mouth, and I know it's hard to do, and I know you can just do it without thinking. But try and avoid it where you can."

He also insists on sanitising common touch points frequently: "Cold viruses can live on doorknobs and other places people often touch. So think about the common surfaces that people touch in your workplace and home, and either avoid them or disinfect them regularly."

Dr Khan further advises that soap should always trump hand sanitiser, though the latter is still effective: "It's not as good as good old soap and water, but it's better than nothing."

The topmost priority, according to Dr Khan, remains general health through sensible living: "Keep your immune system tip top. Get enough sleep. Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of plants in and exercise so your body is ready to fight off germs. I can't stress the importance of these three things enough. Remember, this is an added point. People with colds.

"Nobody wants your cold. If you have a stinking cold, stay at home. If you can cough and sneeze into tissues, throw them away and then wash your hands immediately."

He reiterates the advice to contain the flu spread, noting its main symptoms and highlighting prevention methods.

Flu is highly contagious and can be easily transmitted to others, particularly within the first five days of infection. The virus is spread through germs from coughs and sneezes, which can survive on hands and surfaces for up to 24 hours.