With our news headlines filled with local lockdowns and rocketing Coronavirus cases, it’s easy to forget that all those regular winter bugs that plague us are still out there and waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Fight the flu
There are three kinds of flu jab available and this year, according to The Times, the Government is aiming for the ‘biggest flu vaccination programme in history’.
Alongside young children and those with underlying health conditions, the over-50s are also eligible for free inoculations.
However, with the threat of a second wave of Coronavirus constantly on the horizon, it may not be until November or December that the latter group get their call-up. It all depends, of course, on vaccine supply.
So, with that in mind, if you are invited by your GP or local pharmacy to come in for a job, don’t wimp out – you may not get another chance.
- Children aged 2–17 are given a live vaccine as a nasal spray. This contains weakened flu viruses so the kids will not get flu from the jab.
- Adults aged 18 to 64 are given an inactivated vaccine, which is injected. Again you should not get ill as there are no live viruses in it.
- Adults aged 65 and over will receive an injected inactivated vaccine, but this one contains an adjuvant to boost your immune system.
The sunshine vitamin
With summer a distant memory, sunshine is also in short supply and therefore our natural supply of Vitamin D is diminishing by the day.
Time to get yourself some supplements! There’s long been research into the benefits of Vitamin D and the Government has recently advised that we should all take it between the months of October and March to help fight off colds and flu.
The vitamin, which isn’t actually a vitamin since we can make it ourselves after exposure to sunlight and it is more accurately described as ‘steroid hormone D’, has been the subject of much debate over the course of the pandemic with numerous studies into whether it helps sufferers.
On the whole, though, it is seen as a force for good. Medical professionals in Scotland have taken their lead from Finland and health officials have been advised to boost the nation’s levels with free supplements, fortified milk and more outdoor exercise.
Researchers at Surrey and Southampton Universities carried out a study of blood samples from 1,300 adults and recorded some interesting findings.
These included the fact that amongst Caucasians Vitamin D levels were 53% higher than in people from BAME backgrounds and that those with a healthy weight had 25% more than those who were obese.
So, folks, it’s time to stock up but remember only take the recommended dose as the body stores excess Vitamin D as fat.
Say no to Norovirus
The bad news is that Norovirus – also known as winter vomiting bug – is, yes you’ve guessed it, most common in winter. The good news is that with the pandemic, you will have already adopted some excellent hygiene habits that will help to keep it at bay.
Wash your hands and sterilise hard surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms regularly, and if you are suffering yourself, do not prepare any meals for other household members.
If you are infected – you will have sickness and diarrhoea plus the added delights of a cold – you will be poorly for between 48 to 72 hours so keep hydrated (ask at your local pharmacy for rehydration salts) and stay away from dairy, tea and coffee, and spicy food.
Unless you are working from home, you should avoid your workplace for 48 hours after your last symptoms.
Find your pharmacy
You never know when you might need a local chemist and while you think you know that the one in the high street is still there, maybe it isn’t open late… if any doubt, check out the NHS’s Find a Pharmacy link: nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy.
This will give you all those in your area, with map and directions, contact details and opening times.
There is also an option to show only those open at the time of the search, which is handy at 3 o’clock in the morning!
Private healthcare may seem a bit of a luxury in normal times but with a pandemic ever-present, more patients are looking to private hospitals for treatment, safe in the knowledge that there are no waiting lists.
There are some excellent hospitals on and around the patch: Riverside Clinic, Brentford This brand-new hospital offers a whole host of diagnostic tests and surgical procedures, including MRI scanning, x-ray, ultrasound, echo, blood tests, prostate screening and endoscopy.
Most patients are admitted for day-case procedures, including orthopaedics, dermatology, plastics, minor biopsies and joint injections.
For more information, visit: riverside-clinic.org.uk.
New Victoria, Kingston
Here you can have your Achilles repaired, deal with cardiology issues, have a hysterectomy, engage in speech and language therapy and even have a simple old x-ray. There are 19 bedrooms with en-suite, three operating theatres, physiotherapy area and pharmacy.
Take a virtual tour at newvictoria.co.uk
Kingston Private Health
This NHS Foundation Trust hospital specialises in a wide range of conditions, including orthopaedics, respiratory, haematology, maternity and ENT departments.
