Influenza Advice
The Canterbury health system is activating its 2010 influenza strategy following a rapid rise in the number of cases of Pandemic Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) in Canterbury in the last three weeks.
Canterbury District Health Board Chief Medical Officer Dr Nigel Millar said, the flu was having only a mild to moderate impact on Canterbury compared to other parts of the country but systems needed to be in place to ensure that health services could cope with increasing numbers of sick people.
“We now have 135 identified cases of swine flu in the community and three quarters of these have been detected in August. Thankfully we think that upwards of 40 per cent of Canterbury people are likely to be immune to swine flu this year either from vaccination or having come in contact with it last year,” he said.
This year, the Canterbury health system will not be opening flu centres but directing people who think they may have influenza to phone their General Practice promptly, so that antiviral medicines can be prescribed if necessary. This is especially important if the person is at greater risk of complications from influenza from a long term health condition, being pregnant or very overweight.
“Calling their General Practice early is important if people think they have the flu as antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptoms starting,” General Practitioner Dr Phil Schroeder said.
Remember to call as early as possible during the day in case you need to be seen by a General Practitioner or Practice Nurse. If someone's usual General Practice is too busy to see them that day, they will be referred to another nearby clinic. The cost of visiting another clinic will be about the same as if you were visiting your usual General Practice.
The Canterbury flu line (0800 37 30 37) is also being re-activated for people to call if they are worried about their flu symptoms or that of someone in their family. For after hours care, people should still call their General Practice. The call will either be answered by a nurse who will be able to provide advice or an answer phone that will direct you to the phone number of your nearest after hours centre. Remember to phone before visiting any medical centre so that the centre can prepare for your visit and prevent the spread of influenza to other patients.
Along with having a flu vaccination, the most important things people can do to help protect themselves and their families against influenza are:
- Washing and drying hands thoroughly (20 seconds washing and 20 seconds drying) before eating, after using the toilet and after being with someone who is unwell.
- Staying away from school or work if they are unwell.
- Covering coughs and sneezes.
Symptoms of the influenza virus can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
The Canterbury District Health Board has produced a pamphlet Managing in the Home to help people cope when looking after others or themselves when home sick with the flu. Hard copies are also available from the Community Health Information Centre.
Don't spread your "tummy bug" around
Anyone who has had a stomach or tummy bug knows how miserable it can make you feel. Knowing what to do if you or a family member catches a tummy bug can help lessen the misery. There are a number of gastrointestinal illnesses or tummy bugs that live in our community.
Norovirus is one that is highly contagious but can be contained if precautions are taken. Norovirus is caught by swallowing the virus which usually spreads from your hands to your mouth after you have touched contaminated surfaces. You are particularly vulnerable while caring for someone with the virus. Contaminated droplets hang in the air after an episode of vomiting and can settle on any surface. The virus can survive for several weeks on surfances like tiolets, walls, taps, carpets, curtains and kitchen benches.
People with norovirus will experience the symptoms very quickly. Vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever, headache, nausea, lack of energy, and muscle and joint aches and pain can all take hold between 10 and 50 hours after you have been exposed to an infected person, food or environment. The symptoms may last from 24 to 60 hours and you may still be contagious up to two weeks from when you were first exposed.
If you or a family member becomes infected with norovirus make sure the person drinks plenty of fluids and gets plenty of rest. They will need to stay away from hospitals, work, school etc. until at least 48 hours after they have recovered. Contact your general practice if you are concerned about a family memver who has a tummy bug.
For more information, download Community and Public Health's Norovirus pamphlet.
Exercise is a great way to beat winter blues
Between trying to keep warm and avoid winter illnesses it can be easy to lose our sense of wellbeing in winter. In the colder months we tend to do less exercise, eat and sleep a bit more, and spend more time indoors. As a result some people find they can start to feel a bit low.
Try to keep your home warm - between 16 and 21°C, and make sure you have hot food and drinks to warm you up from the inside. Being less active and staying inside more in winter as a result of gloomy weather can affect mood for some people. Doing some exercise is a great way to beat the winter blues.
There are lots of ways to ensure you are exercising over the colder winter months. Why not consider buying an exercise DVD or borrowing one from the library? You could even get together with friends or family to exercise together at home. Another idea is to bundle up and go out for a walk or run - you will soon warm up and be pleased that you made the effort.
If you don't want to brave the cold weather outdoors, you could get a group of friends together to play a team sport such as indoor cricket or soccor or netball. You will be having lots of social contact and getting fit at the same time. You could also join a gym, buy a treadmill or exercise bike, or go to an indoor swimming pool (you could even have a spa afterwards!).
If time is a problem, try to snatch small amounts of exercise when you can - use the stairs, go out for 15 minutes at lunchtime - it all counts. It is a good idea to get outside in the natural light for at least 30 minutes a day.
Make sure you keep doing things that you enjoy or get a sense of achievement from as they can help maintain mood. Keep up the social contact because social support is a good buffer for mood problems. Symptoms of depression include:
- persistently low mood
- loss of pleasure in usual activities
- changes in sleep, appetite and concentration
- marked fatigue
If you are worried about your low mood, or if depressive symptoms start to interfere with your ability to work or do normal tasks, then seek help. Visit the Mental Wellbeing page for useful links and more information.
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