Winter Wellness: Protect yourself against flu and other illness

Certain health conditions are triggered or exuberated by cold weather, and considering recent years has seen the winter season in the United Kingdom become increasingly chilly with sub-zero temperatures, this can cause chaos for the majority of the UK’s 63.23 million people.

However, there are practical steps and self-help measures you can take during the winter to stay warm, reduce your risk of developing illness, and sufficiently equip your body to deal with an ailment should you unfortunately become unwell.

Flu

One of the most common winter illnesses, and one not to be confused with a cold. Colds usually start gradually with a runny or stuffy nose and sore throat. Flu symptoms begin much suddenly and it is more serious than a cold.

For many of us, flu is not life-threatening and a full recovery can usually be made after a week. However, flu can prove deadly for vulnerable people and lead to complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

These vulnerable, high-risk groups of people are entitled to a free flu jab on the NHS to protect themselves developing flu and serious complications from it. Those eligible for the jab include the over-65s, pregnant women, if you have a medical condition such as diabetes or asthma (your GP will advise you), are a healthcare or social care worker with direct patient contact, or reside in either a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility. There may be other situations where you are entitled to the flu jab, with your GP or practice nurse being able to offer more information.

You can take preventative steps though to try and protect yourself and those around you by: coughing or sneezing into a tissue, disposing of used tissues immediately and washing hands straight away. You should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthily (a low-fat, high-fibre diet is generally advised).

Flu FAQ

I am pregnant, do I need a flu jab this year?

Yes. The flu vaccine can be safely administered at any stage of pregnancy following conception to protect both you and your unborn baby. It will help to protect against serious complications in the latter stages of pregnancy, such as pneumonia, and will       even offer protection for the baby in the first few months of their life after birth. The vaccine also means there is a lesser risk of premature birth or the baby having a low birth weight.

I am pregnant but I think I have flu. What should I do?

See your doctor as soon as flu symptoms first appear as there is prescription medicine that can be taken to reduce the chance of complications arising, but the treatment needs to be taken soon after the initial symptoms start to show.

I have already had flu. Do I need the vaccine?

Yes. You will not know which virus caused your flu and the vaccine is essential to protect you against other flu viruses after yours has passed.

I received a flu vaccination last year. Do I need one this year?

Yes. The vaccine will offer protection against different strains than the previous years. Even if you were vaccinated last year, it is strongly advised you receive another this year. Health experts identify the flu viruses way in advance that are most likely to be predominant and appropriate vaccines are made.

Which flu viruses will the 2013/14 vaccine protect against?

. H1N1 – the strain of flu responsible for the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
. H3N2 – a strain of flu prominent in birds and mammals that was notoriously active in 2011.
. B/Massachusetts/2 – a strain of flu that was active in 2012.

Why is flu dangerous for older and chronically ill people?

Those over 65 and/or suffering with a chronic illness will have difficulty fighting influenza as their body’s system for getting rid of infection has usually become much weaker. Older people who have flu are at risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death.

Who should not have the flu vaccine?

There are not many people who should avoid the flu vaccine. If you have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous jab then it is generally advised to avoid having another. Because some flu jabs are created using eggs, people with an allergy to eggs may be at risk of experiencing a reaction with that type of vaccine. Therefore, it is best to check with your doctor who may be able to provide a flu vaccine with low egg content if an egg-free version isn’t available. If you have a fever, you should wait until you have fully recovered before considering the flu vaccine.

What is the flu nasal spray vaccination?

The NHS childhood vaccination programme means that all children aged 2 to 3 years of age are eligible to receive an annual flu nasal spray vaccine. As the initiative rolls out, all children between the ages of 2 and 16 will be vaccinated against flu with the nasal spray. It is administered as a single dose of spray in each nostril and has the major advantage of there being no needles involved and also less side effects.

What is Tamiflu and do I need it?

Tamiflu is a prescription only antiviral medicine for the treatment or prevention of various types of influenza such as swine flu. Tamiflu belongs to a group of medicines named ‘neuraminidase inhibitors’. These medicines prevent the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and so help to ease or prevent the symptoms arising from the influenza virus infection. A doctor will determine if you need Tamiflu and prescribe it as necessary.

Asthma

The 5.4 million people in the UK need to take extra care and precautions during the winter months as cold air and flu viruses are major triggers for asthma symptoms, which include: a shortness of breath, wheezing (accompanied by a whistling sound), chest tightness/pain/pressure, coughing (especially at night or early in the morning).

Before stepping outside on cold, dry days, always make sure to take your usual dose of reliever inhaler (normally a blue inhaler) and keep this inhaler on you at all times. Wrap up well and ideally you should wear a scarf that covers your nose and mouth. Doing this will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in. Exercise is another trigger for asthma attacks and you need to be cautious of exercising during the winter. Warm up for 10–15 minutes prior to exercise and take one or two puffs of your blue reliever inhaler before you begin.

Christmas asthma triggers should also be taken into account and precautions need to be taken to avoid them where best possible. Pets, Christmas trees and Christmas decorations can cause havoc if you have asthma or other allergies.

Norovirus

The virus may also be more commonly known as the winter vomiting bug. As the name suggests, it is particularly rife during the winter months, but can be caught at any time during the year. In recent years norovirus has made headlines after spreading rapidly amongst the passengers on cruise ships and it is quite often spread within schools and hotels. The first symptom is suddenly feeling nauseous, followed by forceful vomiting and diarrhoea. Sufferers may also experience stomach cramps, aching limbs, frequent headaches, and a high temperature (over 38C/100.4F).

The virus is difficult to try and deal with, but should pass after a few days. If you are vomiting and have diarrhoea, you must drink plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, with this being more dangerous with the very young and elderly.

Each year approximately 600,000 to 1 million people in the UK become ill with the norovirus, but there are things you can do to prevent getting the virus or try to prevent it spreading. For example, avoid sharing towels and flannels, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet as well as prior to preparing meals, use a bleach-based household cleaner to disinfect any surfaces or areas that may be contaminated and wash all clothing and bedding at risk separately from other items.

Asthma hospital admissions could be prevented with correct inhaler usage

Asthma is a serious, yet sometimes underestimated health problem. Just imagine you are unable to breathe, unable to cry for help, unable to even speak, and paralysed with fear. This is an accurate description of how an asthma attack feels for the majority of the 5.4 million people in the UK who suffer with asthma.

It is believed that around 75% of asthma-related hospital admissions could have been averted through sufficient asthma management and a staggering 90% of deaths from asthma were preventable.

Part of this is through the actual correct/efficient use of asthma medication. According to a pharmaceutical-educational charity partnership, improved inhaler technique may help to drastically reduce the estimated 80,000 plus emergency hospital admissions for asthma, but healthcare professionals should be partly culpable as many are not carrying out proper training to patients for correct inhaler use.

A new study of healthcare professionals published in Thorax suggests that a shocking 70% could not demonstrate the right metered dose inhaler technique to asthma patients, and around half of the patients themselves were unable to use the correct technique with their inhaler.

It might be alarming to know that poor use of an inhaler can result it as little as 5% of the drug being transmitted to where it is urgently required – the lungs. Therefore, symptoms are not controlled and the risk of an emergency hospital admission suddenly increases a significant amount.

The good news is that Napp Pharmaceuticals have joined forces with the charity Education for Health to provide inhaler technique training to any CCGs and NHS providers looking to boost their respiratory services and undoubtedly cut asthma hospital admissions in the process.

Community pharmacists from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG and Pharmicus in Gateshead will be involved with pilot programmes after the success of a similar inhaler technique programmed on the Isle of Wight, whereby trained multidisciplinary teams including GPs and respiratory nurses, led to a 50% drop in asthma emergency admissions and a 75% decrease in associated deaths.

Monica Fletcher, CEO of Education for Health said: “This training will enable healthcare professionals to provide the most accurate and up to date inhaler technique to their patients. There is no reason why, with the correct treatment and management, that the majority of people with asthma shouldn’t be able to live symptom free.”

Dr Joe diCapite, inhaler technique project manager at Napp said “We know that several CCGs recognise inhaler technique as an issue for their patients. Napp and Education for Health want to work in partnership with CCGs to create inhaler technique programmes that address the specific training needs of their healthcare professionals, with a shared aim of delivering better patient outcomes.”

If you have asthma and would like more information on using your inhalers, Asthma UK have provided helpful videos on how to correctly different asthma inhalers such as metered dose inhalers, easi-breathe inhalers, an autohaler and various other types of inhalers.

Stress of modern life disastrous for Brit’s sex lives

Whether it is money worries due to a crippling recession, or keeping busy on social media such Facebook or Twitter, there seems to always be something to distract us Brits in our day-to-day lives.

So much so that it seems these factors could be behind the revelation that couples in Britain appear to be having sex less now than at any other time during the last two decades. This is according to the findings extracted from a national survey on sex habits.

The figures from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) – conducted only once per decade – involved 15,000 participants aged 16 to 44. It would seem that modern life is having an impact on the libido of people from all ages.

To understand the decline, men polled during 2010 to 2012 stated that they had sex on average 4.9 times a month and women were around the same at 4.8. The survey, the third in the series, was carried out between September 2010 and August 2012.

However, the same survey from 1999 to 2001 found that men had sex roughly 6.2 times on average per month, whilst women were again at about the same number; 6.3.

Even further back, during 1990 to 1991 shows that men were having sex 6.4 times on average per month and for women it was 6.1 times. Clearly something has changed in the subsequent years.

Dr Cath Mercer, from University College London, said: “People are worried about their jobs, worried about money. They are not in the mood for sex. But we also think modern technologies are behind the trend too. People have tablets and smartphones and they are taking them into the bedroom, using Twitter and Facebook, answering emails.”

Dr Mercer also deduced from the survey’s findings that couples aged 16 to 44 could even be turning to online pornography as an alternative to sex.

Lead Natsal author Professor Kaye Wellings, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that stress caused by the recession and more people working even when away from the office are likely to be key factors for the decline.

“In a recession we find an association between unemployment and a low number of sexual partners, perhaps due to low self-esteem,” she commented.

Professor Wellings added: “The change in women’s behaviour across the three surveys has been remarkable. In some areas of sexual behaviour we have seen a narrowing of the gender gap, but in others we have seen women overtaking men in the diversity of their behaviour. These trends need to be seen against the backdrop of the profound changes in the position of women in society, the norms governing their lifestyles and media representations of female sexuality.”

The survey, analysed by researchers from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also quizzed older people about their sex lives.

According to the results, 60% of men and 42% of women aged 65 to 74 had had sex in the previous year, albeit not on a regular basis compared to other groups. On average, men aged 65 to 74 were having sex 2.3 times per month and only 1.4 times for women.

There were also some other interesting findings from the survey, for instance:

.  A sixth of UK pregnancies are not planned.

. Half of men reported a recent sexual problem; impotence or a sexually transmitted infection are just some of these ‘problems’. Only a tenth were worried or distressed about their sex lives however.

. Around 15% of men had experienced a lack of interest in sex.

. Women under the age of 44 have an average of sexual 7.7 partners, while for men it is 11.7.

. After the survey in the year 2000, more people accept same-sex relationships but are now less tolerant of a cheating partner.

. Around 3.6% of men admitted to paying for sex in the previous five years, compared to hardly any women.

Over a third of 60-70 year olds are battling the bulge

Scottish researchers claim that despite being a problem mainly associated among younger people, obesity is more widespread than first thought and over a third of 60 to 70-year-olds are now at a dangerous weight level.

The team involved in the new study also discovered that the amount of males aged 18 to 22 with a waist measurement in excess of 40 inches (102 cm), has doubled, increasing from 4.6% to 10.7%.
Meanwhile, the number of women in the same age bracket who have a waist size greater than 34.5 inches (88 cm) has almost tripled, increasing from 9.25% to 24.4%.

The team from the University of Glasgow analysed statistics from the Health Survey of England and the Scottish Health Survey, contrasting information relating to 1994 to 1996 against similar facts from 2008 to 2010.

They found that the total number of people with a body mass index (BMI) reading of more than 30 (I.e. classified as ‘obese’) had risen 5 to 15% on average, with an evident peak at age 60 to 70. Up to 38% were obese over both sexes.

The peak was seen at five to ten years later than what was observed during 1994 to 1996 for men, and but was no different for women.

Prevalence of BMI over 30 has doubled in young English men (to 10.7%) and tripled in young Scottish males (to 12.1%). Women fared worse though with 17.8% in England having a BMI of over 30 and 20.1% in Scotland.

Waistlines are clearly expanding at a fast rate, with researchers finding the percentage of people having a ‘large’ waist circumference – 102 cm/40 inches for men, 88 cm/34.5 inches for women – spiralling from 30% to 70% for men aged 80 to 85 and for women between the ages of 65 and 70.

It seems Scots are gripped in an even worse obesity crisis than their English counterparts as the prevalence of a large waist circumference increased fourfold to 12.7% in young men, and almost fivefold in women, to 28.2%.

Professor Mike Lean, whose research has been published in the International Journal of Obesity, commented: “People are growing fatter later in life, with waist sizes rising more persistently than BMI which may indicate increased loss of muscle mass in old age. Within the 14-year period of this study, we also are seeing more young people entering adult life already obese, and more older people have adverse body composition. The continuing rise of waist circumference in older age groups is evidence of continued body fat accumulation and redistribution into older age, which is a major public health concern. The proportion of people with a ‘normal’ BMI has dropped to only about 15 per cent of UK adults by the age of 65. This rather small proportion now includes unhealthy people who have illnesses that have caused weight loss or prevent weight gain, as well as those who are genuinely healthy and active. So older people with an apparently ‘healthy’ BMI are not all healthy.”

Professor Lean added: “The use of BMI alone as a measure for adiposity in this age group may be misleading and using waist circumference might be better for identifying adverse changes in body composition.”

Healthy diet ‘could reduce risk’ of pregnancy complications

Certain modifications to lifestyle factors both in the months prior to, and during pregnancy, could ensure a woman has a healthy pregnancy without complications, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.

A study led by scientists at King’s College London, found that by maintaining a healthy weight, adhering to a healthy diet, and with a normal blood pressure (90/60 – 139/89 is generally deemed ‘normal’), then this can increase the possibility of the woman’s pregnancy going smoothly without encountering problems.

Unlike studies that have been conducted previously, researchers homed in on things than can boost the chances of women having a successful pregnancy and healthy baby, instead of analysing problematic issues.

For the study, the researchers assessed over 5,600 expecting first-time mothers from around the world including the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.

None were due any more than one baby, and all women were quizzed on their previous medical history and dietary habits.
 
Blood pressure was taken and each woman had an ultrasound scan when they were between 10 and 21 weeks pregnant. Information about their births and babies was amalgamated obviously after each woman had given birth.

Of all those who participated in the study, 3,452 (61%) had an uncomplicated pregnancy. A lower proportion of women in the UK and Ireland had an uncomplicated pregnancy (58%) in comparison to their Australasian counterparts. (63%).

Common health problems for the women were found to be gestational hypertension (8%) and pre-eclampsia (5%). Meanwhile, being small for gestational age (11%) and premature birth (4%) were common issues among babies.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was discovered that maintaining a healthy diet – including at least three pieces a day – in the month before conception, meant the women were less likely to have any pregnancy problems.

The researchers say this backs up findings from past studies which show high fruit and vegetable intake during pregnancy can lower the risk of pre-eclampsia, premature birth and can result in babies born with a higher birth weight.

Commenting on their findings, the researchers say: “Based on a large prospective cohort study of healthy nulliparous women, we identified, replicated, and externally confirmed improvable factors associated with uncomplicated pregnancy. These related to optimizing weight, diet, cardiovascular fitness, and cessation of illicit drug use. Providing confirmation is forthcoming from other cohorts, this study should inform development of interventions to increase normal pregnancy outcomes.”

Online Pharmacy give away 1,000s of condoms in the run up to World AIDS Day

Shocking figures released ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December reveal that roughly a fifth of those who have HIV in the UK, are unaware they are even carrying the virus.

Public Health England accumulated data from 2012 that shows 21,900 people out of 98,400 with HIV in the UK do not know they have it, with new cases reported in gay mean spiralling to an all-time record of 3,250 during last year.

Gay men account for the majority of people who have HIV, followed by black African men and women. Heterosexuals accounted for approximately 45% of new HIV cases in 2012; 2,880 in total.

Although it appears overall figures have decreased since 2011, the charity Terrence Higgins Trust have called for more action to be done to prevent the virus spreading, beginning with National HIV Testing Week, which runs from 22-29 November leading up to World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and has been supported numerous times by Medical Specialists Pharmacy, and this year is no different.

This year Medical Specialists are giving away literally thousands of Skins condoms to all patients who obtain any sexual health products between 22 November and 2 December. Whether this be a clamelle chlamydia test kit, the antibiotic azithromycin for chlamydia and gonorrhoea treatment, or viagra, you will receive plenty of condoms…for free!

“Reducing undiagnosed HIV is now the single most important step we can take to halt the spread of infection in this country,” said the Terrence Higgins Trust’s acting chief executive, Paul Ward.

Mr Ward added: “Some communities are already making headway in this. Among gay men, testing rates are up, diagnoses are up, and as a result undiagnosed infection is coming down. Because of community-wide initiatives like National HIV Testing Week, hundreds more people with HIV now know their status, helping them access life-saving treatments and drastically reducing the chance of them passing the virus on. We’ve come so far, but we have to keep going. We know testing works and treatment works; all we need is the individual commitment and public funding to make it happen. If we can get this, we can turn the tide of the epidemic.”

Many people see ‘HIV’ as an abbreviated disease that they hope they never contract, whilst not actually understanding a lot about what it is, who is at risk, or the dangers of letting the virus go untreated.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system; our body’s natural defence mechanism against infections and disease. Health Protection Agency statistics from 2010 showed 95% of UK diagnoses stemmed from sexual contact, typically not wearing a condom during sexual activity is the cause. Sharing infected needles, syringes or other drug paraphernalia are also risk factors for HIV.

After infection, symptoms usually take between two to six weeks to arise and they include the common flu symptoms such as fever, sore throat, tiredness, muscular pain and also you could develop a body rash. If you believe you might be at risk then you should go for a test immediately and do not delay.
Delaying vital critical treatment can be fatal and somebody diagnosed at a late stage is actually nine times more likely to die within twelve months of receiving their diagnosis compared to somebody who gets tested and diagnosed at an early stage.

If HIV is left untreated or insufficiently managed, HIV then develops into AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). At this stage the body is no longer able to fight off life-threatening infections due to the severe damage inflicted to the immune system.

National HIV testing week is a hugely important week and Medical Specialists hope that people shed the stigmas attached to HIV and AIDS, and to get tested immediately if they think they might be at risk. There is never any shame in seeking help for anything, especially when it comes to your health, and it could just save your life.

Achoo! Do you have a cold or flu?

The winter season for the majority of the Northern Hemisphere is not a pleasant time. Temperatures often plunge into the minuses as snow makes a regular appearance, as does ice, resulting in inevitable pandemonium for vehicle drivers and walking pedestrians.

Also prevalent at this time of the year are a huge number of colds, cases of flu, and various respiratory illnesses. Contagious viruses are of course active throughout the year, but winter is when we are most vulnerable. When it is cold, many people understandably choose to stay indoors, meaning a virus can spread rapidly through households.

Flu is transmitted between people when the infected individual then sneezes or coughs, releasing droplets into the air. Even touching a surface where the virus has been deposited can you put at risk of developing said virus.

It is worth noting there is a difference between a ‘cold’ and the flu, although they have some of the same symptoms and thus, are often mistakenly self-diagnosed. It is thought that around a third of Brits assume they just have a ‘bad cold’, when it is in fact the flu. This is a worrying statistic as thousands die each year from complications arising from flu.

A runny nose, coughing, a sore throat and sneezing are characteristics most common in colds, and usually develop over one or two days, lasting no more than a few days. However, some colds may last for as long as two weeks.

Flu usually strikes more suddenly than a common cold, symptoms are more serious and it lasts for a longer period of time. Flu symptoms include: sudden fever of 38-40°C (100-104°F), aches and pains in muscles and joints, sweats, a dry cough, headache and a feeling of exhaustion/needing to lie down.

One to three days following infection is the time when flu symptoms rear their ugly head, but many find they recover within one week, but a feeling of tiredness lingers for slightly longer than this. Severe colds may cause muscle aches and fever, which explains why many people struggle to differentiate the two.

Regardless of if it is a cold or flu you have, you must seek medical help if you also have chronic health condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, or are experiencing a high fever, a severe headache, or abdominal or chest pain.

You can take preventative steps though to try and protect yourself and those around you by:

. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
. Disposing of used tissues straight away.
. Washing hands as soon as possible.
. Get an annual flu jab if you are in one of high-risk groups.
. Throwing a used tissue away as soon as possible.
. Washing your hands as soon as possible.
. Having a flu jab every year if you’re in an at-risk group (i.e. children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women).

Painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, can help to ease your symptoms if you just have a cold – although aspirin should not be given to anyone under the age of 16. You should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthily (a low-fat, high-fibre diet is generally advised).

You can usually treat yourself in the comfort of your own home if you have the flu. Make sure to get plenty of rest (most people know when they feel fit enough to carry on with their normal activities), keep yourself warm, and drink plenty of fluids.

Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can help to lower your high temperature and relieve aches if you are unwell with a fever.

Prescription antiviral medications such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) are also widely used for both flu prevention and treatment.

Tamiflu stops the chemical neuraminidase – made by the influenzavirus – from having an impact that is. The virus relies on neuraminidase to spread in the airways, but because Tamiflu blocks neuraminidase from having an effect, the spread of the influenzavirus in the airways is reduced and the body’s immune system is more easily able clear-up the infection.