News and advice from Hull Primary Care Trust

Fighting fit this winter

For coughs and colds, seek advice from your local pharmacy

With winter now creeping up on us, many of us will already be suffering with the usual seasonal coughs and colds. Unless you suffer any complication, self-treatment is the best way of dealing with these illnesses. As with all viruses, antibiotics will have no effect, and in fact unnecessary use could cause other problems such as thrush, sickness and diarrhoea. Overuse of antibiotics can also build up the body's resistance to the drug and make it less effective when needed. A visit to the local pharmacy will offer you a whole range of suitable over-thecounter treatments to help you deal with your symptoms.
Some of us will also suffer with influenza or 'flu' this winter, another virus which typically starts with some of the same symptoms as a cough or cold but usually includes a fever, chills, a headache and aching muscles. Most people will recover from flu within a week or so and the treatment is basically the same as for a cold - keep warm, take paracetamol, drink plenty of fluids and rest.
However, for some groups of people, a bout of flu can lead to other complications and these people should be protected against developing the illness with a seasonal flu vaccination.
Anyone over the age of 65 or who suffers with certain longterm illnesses such as asthma, heart disease or liver disease will be offered the free jab via their GP. It is important that those people who need the vaccine receive it every winter, as the strain of flu constantly changes and therefore a new jab is needed each year. The vaccination programme has already started and will continue over the next couple of months.
There will be enough doses of flu vaccine available to immunize everyone who needs it and GPs will give priority to those most at risk.

Keep Warm, Keep Well

It is particularly important that the elderly keep warm and active during the colder weather, otherwise they can be putting their health at risk. Keep an eye on older neighbours and relatives and help them to follow these simple tips to stay warm and healthy this winter:

• Keep the house warm
  Rooms you are using should be kept at a temperature of 21 degrees centigrade (70 degrees fahrenheit).
  Keep doors closed and shut curtains as soon as it gets dark, to help keep the heat in.
• Wear warm clothing
  Several thinner layers of clothing are more effective at keeping you warm than one thick one and wear a hat or headscarf when going outside, as this will retain body heat.
• Plenty of hot drinks
  Make sure you drink plenty of hot drinks or soups, as these will give you extra warmth and energy, and try to eat at least one hot meal a day.
• Exercise
  Gentle exercise will keep your blood pumping. Take a short walk each day, if you are able and the weather allows.
  If you have difficultly walking, just moving your arms and legs and wiggling your fingers and toes will help.

For further information on keeping your home warm this winter, contact: The Warm Front Scheme on 0800 0720251. To find out more about staying healthy this winter, contact: NHS Direct on 0845 4647

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH Hull Primary Care Trust tel. (01482) 344700