{"id":7172,"date":"2026-04-16T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/?page_id=7172"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:41:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:41:06","slug":"outbreaks-prevention-testing-and-management-of-common-illnesses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/outbreaks-prevention-testing-and-management-of-common-illnesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Outbreaks: Prevention, testing and management of common illnesses and infections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Outbreak Information, Guidance and Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This page provides information and guidance to help prepare for, and support people, with common infections which can be linked to outbreaks.

You will find information on prevention, testing and control of infection, including, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections<\/a> and scabies<\/a><\/strong>. You will also find details of the Care Home Outbreak Box<\/a> for use in outbreaks or suspected outbreaks of gastrointestial or respiratory infection. Some of these infections tend to happen during the Winter months and may be referred to as Winter infections, Winter illnesses or Winter bugs but they can also happen outwith Winter.

Please visit the “Vaccinations and Power of Attorney<\/a>” webpage to find out more infomation on Care Homes residents consenting to vaccinations and Care Home preperation for a visit by the Vaccination team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please visit the East Region Health Protection Service<\/a> webpage for outbreak notification forms for acute respiratory & GI infections and Scabies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further to the resources on this page the NHS Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) team in Scotland have launched a Winter Preparedness Campaign<\/a> . This contains additional information such as how to prepare for a potential outbreak; essential communications with staff and visitors if they are feeling unwell to help prevent a potential outbreak; and reflective discussions to learn from previous outbreaks.

ARHAI have also developed a page of various visuals (assets) that you can download and use, this includes: images to print off or use on socal media, email signatures and teams backgrounds. You can find these resources on the Winter preparedness campaign assets <\/a>page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

**Please note**<\/strong>
All documents and links on this page are reviewed (at least) annually, usually in the run up to Winter, please always check that you are using the most up to date version of any document. All documents reviewed October 2025 and updated as required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most up to date national information and guidance can be found online within Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM) <\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Video: Overview of common infections and related measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This short video has kindly been shared by East Region Health Protection Service<\/a> and covers common respiratory and gastrointestinal infections<\/strong>. These are most common during Winter although they may occur at other times of the year. This video includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n