Docs' flu warning to Ross residents
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ROSS-SHIRE residents are being urged to take up the offer of a flu jab following the revelation that last year almost half of people aged under 65 in the NHS Highland area didn't bother.
The launch of Scottish Flu Awareness Weekon Monday centred on an appeal by health professionals across the country for people in the "at risk" groups to get their annual jab.
The jabs now being offered also offer a measure of protection against swine flu.
The week-long campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of the flu jab and to encourage the estimated 14,352 people - that equates to 45 per cent of the total ‘at risk’ group - living in the NHS Highland board area who didn’t get the vaccination last year to do so as early as possible this year.
These figures don’t include people over 65 who are also eligible for free flu jab.
The key target groups that are eligible for the jab are: people aged 65 and over; under 65s with existing long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and other heart, lung and liver diseases; pregnant women and unpaid carers of any age and NHS workers who deal directly with patients.
Health chiefs warn that flu is a serious illness and the vaccination is the most effective protection from it, including the swine flu virus. People in the ‘at-risk’ groups can be hit harder with the flu and suffer more complications.
Dr Ken Oates, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Highland, said, "Flu strikes suddenly and can take immediate and severe effect. If you are in one of the at-risk groups, then the impact of flu can be even more serious, with symptoms hitting you harder and lasting longer.You could end up in hospital, or contract pneumonia or bronchitis.
"I strongly urge anyone who is in one of the at-risk groups to make an appointment with their GP to get the free jab. It only takes a few minutes to be vaccinated but will give you protection against the flu for around a year."
This year’s flu vaccine protects against three types of flu including the swine flu strain, which is still circulating. It takes about 10 days to be protected against the flu after having the jab so it’s best to get it as early as possible in flu season - which starts now.
Anyone confused about whether they are eligible for the vaccine, or would like to find out more information about it, can contact NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 or log on to www.immunisationscotland.org.uk for further information on the immunisation programme.
Those people considered to be 'at risk' are people of all ages with long-term illnesses, including:
Chronic respiratory disease, e.g. asthma needing regular inhaled or oral steroids; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic heart conditions
Diabetes
Chronic kidney or liver disease
Chronic neurological conditions, e.g. stroke or multiple sclerosis
Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment, e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer or long-term steroid use
Any other serious medical condition - patients are advised to consult their doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist.
TOP TEN TIPS TO KEEP THE FLU AT BAY
1) Wash your hands as often as possible. Just washing your hands thoroughly can kill off flu or stomach viruses that are on your hands.
2) Work up a sweat. Do plenty of exercise – even though it’s cold outside, exercise helps to stimulate your immune system.
3) Get the zeds in – Your immune system functions much better when you get enough sleep. Sleep plays a part in your general health and wellbeing, so try and get a good eight hours sleep per night.
4) Pop a Pepper – or any other hot food. Hot peppers like habanero, cayenne, or the jalapeno, are packed with more vitamin C than a glass of orange juice. So eat a hot curry, make some chilli or just spice up your favourite dinner. Other foods that offer a healthy boost? Apples (be sure to eat the skin), garlic and onions, which contain quercetin, a compound that increases immune health. Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy nutrients that can strengthen your immune system, lowering your susceptibility to the flu virus.
5) Stay away from the infected – it’s not a scene from 28 Days Later but there is method in the madness of staying away from people with the flu. And if you are ill stay at home! As well as helping yourself to recover you will prevent the virus spreading. People who come into work with flu symptoms are only helping to spread it!
6) Keep your hands to yourself – the flu enters your body through eyes, nose and mouth, so avoid rubbing your eyes and make sure you wash your hands regularly – particularly if you are often shaking hands with others or out and about.
7) Reduce stress - Too much stress has a highly negative impact on your overall health and, over time, it will make you much more susceptible to a flu infection. Studies show that prolonged stress is at least partially responsible for 90% of all illness and disease. As well as exercise and plenty of sleep, meditation is a proven stress-buster that is easy, enjoyable and can be used on a daily basis.
8) Don’t smoke and avoid smoke-filled places - First and second-hand smoke significantly impairs your immune system. It also dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes cilia, the small hairs in your nose and lungs that help keep out viruses.
9) Get some fresh air! During the winter the dry heat from indoor heating systems dries out your mouth and nose and makes you more susceptible to viruses. If you can, during the day, crack open a window or two to give your body some relief.
10) Drink lots of pure water - Keeping yourself well-hydrated is a key to helping them fight off viruses.
