COLDS & FLU


Coughs, colds


and flu: supporting your patients


IN lIght of coNcERNS ABoUt ‘AUSSIE flU’ thIS YEAR, It’S EVEN moRE ImpoRtANt thAN EVER thAt thoSE IN thE ‘At RISK’ cAtEgoRIES tAKE Up thEIR offER of A fREE flU VAccINAtIoN. how Do YoU – AS A phARmAcISt - Both ENcoURAgE pAtIENtS to tAKE ADVANtAgE of thIS fREE SERVIcE AND DEtER pAtIENtS fRom ASKINg foR ANtIBIotIcS?


N


ew research has shown that children under two years of age are significantly more at


risk of serious illness from flu if they have older brothers or sisters. however, the research has also suggested that babies and children can be better protected if parents take up the opportunity to get older siblings vaccinated.


the vaccination is of particular significance this year since patients throughout the UK have been warned about the imminent arrival of the ‘Aussie flu’ strain, which has already affected more than 70,000 people in Australia and has led to huge numbers going to A & E for treatment.


‘Everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated against flu should see it as a positive step in protecting their health and the health of others around them,’ says Dr lucy Jessop, consultant in health protection at the phA, ‘traditionally uptake rates for flu vaccination are very high in Northern Ireland, which is a result of the hard work and dedication from all involved


14 - phARmAcY IN focUS


in health and social care, and the excellent response from patients, taking their gp’s advice that they need the vaccine. So make sure everyone who is eligible for the vaccine gets it – whether they are two years old or over 65, it is important that they get vaccinated.’


So, how do you go about encouraging your patients to get the flu vaccination? well, as with any health issue, education is of prime importance. Explaining to patients why the vaccination is of particular relevance to them will provide them with the know-how and will let them clearly see why the vaccination is not only of benefit, but could ultimately save their lives.


The over-65s Why they should get it Every year in Northern Ireland, around two thirds of people, who get severe flu and need intensive care treatment have a health condition such as chronic lung or heart disease. In fact, practically any adult with an existing health condition is at increased risk of flu-related complications, but the


over-65s are particularly at risk. the vaccination is the safest and most effective means of helping them protect themselves against the flu.


Pregnant women Why they should get it the public health Agency (phA) recommends that all pregnant women should have the flu vaccine, but many pregnant women still have concerns that the vaccine will give them the flu and may harm their baby. It’s therefore vital to reassure pregnant patients – regardless of whether this is their first baby or not – that they are at increased risk of flu- related complications and may require hospitalisation. they therefore require extra protection.


Explain to them that not only does the vaccine not contain live viruses – and therefore can’t give them the flu – but that it’s also perfectly safe for their baby. In fact, the phA also point out that women can help to reduce the risk of serious flu for their newborns by taking up the invitation to have the flu vaccine when they are still pregnant.


Children Why they should get it At present, the flu vaccine is offered to all children in Northern Ireland aged between two and five years of age and to all primary school children. As with the other ‘at risk’ groups, flu can lead to complications among this group, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition, children with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or kidney/liver disease, can be particularly badly affected. the flu vaccine is given to children through a nasal spray, which is squirted into each nostril. No injection is required and the process is quick and painless. As with the adult version, the virus in the vaccine has been weakened and so doesn’t cause flu.


Discouraging requesting an antibiotic As a pharmacist, you’ll know that many of your patients, on developing a flu, bad cold or cough, will immediately head to the doctor to request an antibiotic. According to a recent world health organization (who) report, an alarming 64 per >


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48