As winter illnesses continue to circulate across Aotearoa, an AUT University immunologist is urging whānau to take simple but effective steps to protect older relatives, tamariki and those living with underlying health conditions.
Dr Chris Puli’uvea, a Senior Lecturer in Immunology at Auckland University of Technology, says winter creates ideal conditions for respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to spread rapidly through households and communities.
For whānau living in multigenerational homes, the risk can be particularly high, as infections can move quickly between school-aged children, working adults and older family members.
Health experts recommend staying home when unwell, maintaining good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, improving ventilation, and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces to reduce transmission within households.
Dr Puli’uvea says colder temperatures can also make it more difficult for the body’s respiratory system to defend itself against infection. Cold air can affect the normal functioning of the nose and airways, reducing the body’s ability to trap and clear viruses before they enter deeper into the respiratory tract.
Older adults, kaumātua and people with chronic health conditions remain among those most vulnerable to severe illness during winter. Respiratory infections can lead to complications such as pneumonia, worsening existing conditions including asthma, diabetes and heart disease, and increasing the likelihood of hospitalisation.
Health professionals continue to encourage vaccination as one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness. However, experts say there are additional practical steps people can take to support their immune systems throughout the colder months.
Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, staying physically active, managing stress and avoiding smoking are all recognised as important factors in supporting immune function.
The warning comes as hospitals and primary care providers prepare for increased demand during the winter season, with health experts reminding whānau that prevention remains the best defence against seasonal illness.With many Māori and Pacific families living in larger and multigenerational households, public health advocates say early action and community awareness can play a vital role in protecting vulnerable whānau members and reducing the spread of winter infections.
