With its high death rates and tendency towards tragedy, these are not the settings one would usually go looking for health advice.
But Albert Square and Coronation Street have been doing their bit by highlighting winter viruses.
A storyline in EastEnders saw an outbreak of norovirus, sometimes attractively known as the winter vomiting bug, which prevented guests from attending a wedding.
This was followed by a series of Coronation Street cast members falling victim to norovirus and documenting their symptoms very publicly on social media.
Norovirus is the most common cause of stomach bugs in the UK and can affect people of all ages.
NHS Highland’s director of public health, Professor Hugo van Woerden, said: “Norovirus is highly contagious and is easily spread from person to person. At this time of year people are much closer together physically, whether it be in crowded trains or buses with little ventilation; department stores bustling with shoppers or people partying.
“This close contact with others greatly increases the chance of catching a virus such as norovirus. Hand hygiene is a very important way to prevent the spread of norovirus.
“Washing hands often – and drying them on disposable paper towels or laundering hand towels regularly – can significantly reduce the chances of catching a virus such as norovirus.
“Washing and drying hands will greatly reduce the risk of spreading norovirus, particularly when preparing food, before eating and drinking and after using the toilet.”
Hand hygiene was also thrust into the celebrity spotlight over the festive period when singer Robbie Williams was spotted using hand sanitiser when meeting fans.
“Despite the backlash he received for doing this so publicly, hand hygiene is the easiest way to help keep ourselves and our family well this winter,” Professor van Woerden explained.
“Another good way of avoiding catching viruses is to wrap up warm and wear a hat. We lose 30% of our body heat through our heads. After the exceptionally mild autumn we’ve had this year, people aren’t used to dressing warmly for wintry weather.
“So if there’s a sudden icy snap, we are more likely to feel the cold and start to shiver. Shivering depresses our immune system and this makes us more likely to pick up viruses.”
