32 Health Not too late for flu jab Beat the blues
influenza A(H3N2) viruses and the flu vaccine offered this season is expected to provide good levels of protection. “We expect the flu virus to circulate
at increased levels in Wales for six to eight weeks, with lower levels even longer, so it is important to ensure that remaining eligible people are vaccinated as quickly as possible to help protect them for the rest of this season.” Healthcare and social care workers
CASES of influenza (flu) are
increasing in Wales and health officials are urging the elderly, those who are pregnant, and individuals who have a long term health condition to get their flu jab to protect themselves. The numbers of people consulting
their GP, in hospital or in ICU (intensive care unit) with confirmed influenza have all increased in the last two weeks. Nearly 800 people were diagnosed
with flu-like illnesses by GPs across Wales over the two week Christmas period. So far this winter, there have been 195 confirmed influenza cases in hospitals, with over half of these in the last two weeks. There have been 25 confirmed influenza cases in intensive care. There have been more than 10
outbreaks of confirmed flu in hospital wards and care homes, with most occurring in the last two weeks. People of any age may be affected
by flu, and it can be serious, with young children, the elderly, those who are pregnant and adults with chronic conditions particularly vulnerable to complications. The flu strain currently circulating in Wales can affect older adults and the elderly particularly
severely; however, in recent weeks, numbers of younger adults and teenagers seeing their GPs with influenza symptoms has also increased. Many vulnerable individuals
remain unprotected. Public Health Wales is urging those in ‘at risk’ groups that haven’t had their vaccine yet that it’s not too late to get their free flu vaccine to protect themselves against catching or spreading flu. Flu immunisation is available from
GPs and some community pharmacies in Wales and is free on the NHS for those most at risk. The routine programme for
children aged four to seven years in school has now ended and the supply of nasal spray vaccine for two and three- year-olds is limited. Unvaccinated children in ‘risk
groups’ can still have their flu vaccine from their GP surgery. Dr Richard Roberts, Head of
the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “Flu is now on the increase in Wales. Those in risk groups should have been vaccinated by now, but it’s not too late to get this protection if you haven’t already. “Most viruses being detected are
Te public are also being reminded to take precautions to help reduce the chances of flu spreading:
Catch it: always cough or sneeze into a tissue Bin it: dispose of the tissue aſter use Kill it: then wash your hands or use hand sanitise to kill any flu viruses
Dr Roberts said: “Once flu is circulating widely, apart from vaccination, following ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ advice and staying away from others while you are ill are the best methods that can help prevent spread.
with direct patient contact, and also carers, are strongly recommended to have a flu vaccination to protect them from catching flu and from spreading it to the people they care for. Dr Roberts added: “It’s also
important that anyone in a risk group developing symptoms of flu seeks early advice on treatment.” Unlike the common cold, which
may develop over several days, flu symptoms usually develop very rapidly with a high temperature and often include a headache, aching muscles, extreme tiredness and cough. Most people with symptoms of flu don’t need to see their GP, and should drink plenty of fluids, take ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve symptoms, and avoid contact with vulnerable individuals while they have symptoms, which usually resolve in about a week. Those in ‘at risk’ groups who think
they have flu are advised to contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) for advice as soon as the symptoms start as anti-viral medication may be recommended. Flu is a respiratory illness caused
by a virus that affects the lungs and airways. The flu virus spreads easily via droplets which are sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with contaminated hands or surfaces can also spread infection. Any individual that feels unwell
with flu-like symptoms can get advice on treatment from the NHS Direct Wales website at www.nhsdirect.
wales.nhs.uk or the helpline on 0845 46 47. Weekly reports on the levels of
influenza circulating in Wales are available from:
bit.ly/1VXEquu. More information about flu is available at
www.beatflu.org.
A MAJOR charity initiative
is urging families across Wales to take action to combat the ‘January blues’ by taking simple steps which will also help to protect their long- term physical health. A UK-wide survey commissioned
by the National Charity Partnership, a collaboration between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Tesco, found that cold weather, dark nights and lack of money contribute to almost three in four adults (74%) in Wales feeling down in January. About four in 10 (39%) say going for a walk or a jog helps improve their mood, but only 26% actually do it. The partnership is encouraging
people to get outside and get active to look after their mental well-being and long-term physical health. Being active can help improve mental well- being as well as reduce the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease. The survey found that nearly two
in three people (62%) said they would like to find more time to exercise. Almost all respondents (94%) agreed that being active can help to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease, but many (48%) admit they lack motivation. The partnership has developed
an online motivational goal setter tool to help people set health-related targets and keep them motivated to achieve their goals. It will also be raising awareness of the importance of physical activity at the annual PromXtra event in Conwy later this year and funding a community-wide
physical activity challenge across Rhondda Cynon Taf called ‘Beat the Street’. Alex Davis, Head of Prevention
for the National Charity Partnership, said: “It’s natural for people to prefer to stay indoors rather then get active during the winter, but January is a great time to start thinking about your health. It doesn’t have to be expensive either: our survey found that one in four people says the price of fitness classes is a barrier, but even just 10 minutes of a free activity such as walking or jogging can help to make a big difference to your mental and physical health. “More than four million people in
the UK already have Type 2 diabetes and around seven million live with heart and circulatory disease. Millions more are at risk of these potentially life-threatening conditions, but this doesn’t have to be the case. “We hope that through our
activities in Wales, we can inspire people to get outside and get active. Any kind of moderate exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling not only boosts endorphins leaving you feeling calmer and happier, but will also improve your general health.” The National Charity Partnership
is running a campaign, Let’s Do This, to support adults to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease by taking small steps towards healthier lifestyles. Its online Goal Setter allows people to set and monitor their health-related targets and encourages them to stay motivated and achieve their goals.
THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 20 2017
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