Stay Well This Winter – Flu Vaccinations for Young Children
With nursery and school terms well underway, parents and guardians of young children are encouraged not to put off getting the free flu vaccination for their children.
This year, children aged two to four and those in School Years 1, 2 and 3 are all eligible for a free flu vaccination on the NHS. The child-friendly nasal spray means children can avoid having an injection and instead have a quick, painless squirt into each nostril.
In Swindon, children can visit their GP for the nasal spray vaccination and parents are encouraged to contact their GP practice to book an appointment. Children of all ages over six months with a health condition that puts them at greater risk of flu are also eligible for the flu vaccine.
Flu is a very unpleasant illness in children causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness. This can often last several days. Flu can be serious too. Some children can become very ill and may need to go to hospital for treatment. Serious complications of flu include a painful ear infection, acute bronchitis, and pneumonia.
It is crucial to get children vaccinated this autumn and winter even if they had the flu vaccination last year. The flu vaccine provides protection against the strains of flu that are likely to circulate this year and which may be different from last year – that’s why all eligible patients should be vaccinated every year. So make sure you visit your GP when your child is offered the nasal spray vaccine.
Stay Well This Winter – Tips for Keeping Warm
Cold weather can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 and older. As we age it takes longer to warm up, which raises the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
Age UK have produced a useful information leaflet which gives advice on how to keep warm.
World Diabetes Day – 14 November 2016
World Diabetes Day is celebrated annually on 14 November and the theme for 2016 is “Eyes on Diabetes” which will focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.
Screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications. Please ensure you keep on top of your screening appointments.
Diabetes UK Swindon Group Meeting
The next meeting of the Swindon Group of Diabetes UK will be held on Tuesday 1 November at the Broadgreen Centre, Salisbury Street, Swindon, commencing at 7.30 pm.
The Guest Speaker will be Matt Fruci, who leads the “Diabetes: Living with, Living Well” project in Swindon. This 10-week project aims to improve self-management of the condition; participants have demonstrated weight loss, reduced BMI, increased levels of physical activity and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Admission is free to anyone interested in diabetes or its management. A selection of Information Leaflets will be available, as will loans from the Group’s library of diabetes Reference Books. Light refreshments will be served.
Further details are available from Matthew Spencer 01793 851229
Breathe Easy Support Group
Breathe Easy Swindon is a local support group for anyone living with a lung condition including carers, friends and family.
Meetings take place on the third Monday of each month, from 1 pm to 3 pm, at The Sun Inn, Coate, Swindon, SN3 6AA and are free to attend.
Make new friends who know what you’re going through, and learn more about living with a lung condition.
Further details can be found on the British Lung Foundation website.