If you are unable to avoid close contact (ie cohabiting, looking after a baby/child, carer etc) with anyone who has an infectious disease, you should practice good hand hygiene, do not share towels, drinks, meals etc and sleep in separate rooms if possible. If you develop any symptoms of the illness and feel unwell, then medical advice should be sought.
Click on any subject below to expand the box for information and additional advice
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is highly infectious. You can catch chickenpox by being in the same room as someone with it. It is also spread by touching things that have fluid from the blisters on them.
It is in its most infectious stage within the first week, so even before spots have appeared. Most people get chickenpox as child and it is very rare to get it later on in life if you have already had it.
You can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.
People with chickenpox are most infectious for approx 5 days once rash has appeared and until their blisters have scabbed over.
If you have had chickenpox (or the vaccine) before, it is very unlikely you will contract this illness so no need to avoid contact.
Covid
Covid is very infectious and can easily spread to others from coughs, sneezes and the germs can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. Covid is a common illness, usually self treated as you would do if you had flu with over the counter medication from a pharmacy.
There are no mandatory requirements to isolate if you have Covid or if you have been in contact with a person who has confirmed Covid. Testing is not routinely available anymore.
People with Covid are most infectious for the first 5 days or until they have a negative test (if available).
Anyone can get Covid.
Flu (Influenza)
Flu is very infectious and can easily spread to others from coughs, sneezes and the germs can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
Flu is a common illness, usually self treated with over the counter medication from a pharmacy.
People with flu are most infectious for the first 5-7 days.
Anyone can get the flu. You can still get the flu even if you have had a flu vaccine but it gives a good level of protection and symptoms should be less severe.
Measles
Measles is contagious if you have not have the recommend course course of MMR vaccines. It can spread very easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
It can cause a serious problem in some people.
People with measles are most infectious 3 days before and 4 days after the rash has appeared.
If you have had the full course of MMR vaccine (x2) this gives a very good level of protection.
If you have not have the full course of MMR vaccine, it is a very contagious infectious disease. Book in with a nurse to get vaccinated.
Mumps
Mumps is contagious if you have not have the recommend course course of MMR vaccines. It can spread in the same way as colds and flu.
People with mumps are most infectious 10 days before and 5 days after the swelling has appeared.
If you have had the full course of MMR vaccine (x2) this gives a very good level of protection.
If you have not have the full course of MMR vaccine, it is a very contagious infectious disease which can have significant implications for men. Book in with a nurse to get vaccinated.
Rubella (german measles)
Rubella is contagious if you have not have the recommend course course of MMR vaccines. It can spread when the infected person coughs or sneezes.
It is a rare illness but can be serious if you get in when pregnant.
People with Rubella are most infectious 7 days before the onset of the rash and 6 days after.
If you have had the full course of MMR vaccine (x2) this gives a very good level of protection.
If you have not have the full course of MMR vaccine, it is a very contagious infectious disease which can have significant implications in pregnancy. Book in with a nurse to get vaccinated.
Shingles
Shingles is not contagious unless you have never had chickenpox (or the chickenpox vaccine) before, as shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.
People who have shingles should be avoided if you are pregnant and never had chickenpox before or; you have a weakened immune system (ie having chemotherapy) or; babies less then 1 month old as they are at risk of contracting shingles or chickenpox.
Tuberculosis (TB)
There are 2 types of TB – active and latent.
Latent TB
If someone has confirmed latent TB and they do not get treatment, then it can develop into active TB in the future which can be contagious – this usually happens to up to 10% of people with latent TB and usually develops within the first or second year of infection.
People who have confirmed latent TB, cannot spread TB to others – it is not contagious. People can have latent TB without knowing it – they do not usually have any symptoms and do not feel sick.
Not everyone needs treatment though – it depends on your age and likelihood of it progressing to active TB. Latent TB can lay dormant (asleep) in the body and most peoples immune system can fight the bacteria that causes TB and prevent it from developing any further.
Contact with the person who has latent TB, does not usually cause any issues for others so no need to avoid contact.
Active TB
People who have active TB will feel sick and they will have symptoms.
Active TB is contagious to those in close contact with the person who has TB. A close contact is someone who shares a house, bedroom, bathroom with them. It can also include people who spend alot of time with them such as close work colleagues, partners etc.
If someone has confirmed active TB, then a health professional will be in contact with all close contacts to access each individuals risk of developing the illness.
Contact with the person with confirmed active TB, should be avoided until you have spoken with a health professional.
Whooping Cough (pertussis)
Whooping cough is highly contagious and spread in droplets of the coughs or sneezes of someone with the infection. You can get whooping cough if you come into close contact with someone with the infection. It can be serious, especially in babies under 12 months old.
Anyone can get whooping cough, but it is more common in babies, children and if you are pregnant.
People who have whooping cough are most infectious for 48 hours once they have had antibiotics, or 3 weeks if no antibiotics.