People are being reminded to eat well, exercise regularly and get enough sleep to reduce their chances of catching a cold or developing the flu.

According to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), while the best form of defence against the flu is to get the flu vaccination, there are simple steps people can take to help protect themselves against it and the common cold. They include:

-Washing hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs
-Staying hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day
-Controlling stress as this can lead to a weakened immune system
-Limiting contact with infected people until their symptoms are gone
-Eating healthy food, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep, as this boosts the immune system.

Pharmacists are also reminding people that if they already have a cold, they should use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough. The tissue should then be put in the bin and hands should be washed as soon as possible.

They also emphasised that antibiotics should not be used for these illnesses.

"Antibiotics do not work for cold and flu symptoms unless you've also developed bacteria-related complications. It is best to treat a cold or flu at home by resting, staying warm and drinking lots of fluids. Also, give yourself time to recover - it can take anything from five to seven days to be well enough to return to normal activities," commented pharmacist, Bernard Duggan.