Columbia Aged Care

Most cases of influenza (the flu) seem to occur mainly during winter and spring. The flu is an extremely contagious virus that is spread through sneezing and coughing. Elderly people and people who have underlying medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease or impaired immunity are most at risk of contracting the virus.

Sometimes, in the beginning, it can be difficult to tell whether you have contracted the flu or if you just have a regular cold. The Better Health Channel has provided a list of symptoms and explains how the flu differs from the common cold.

Symptoms of the flu:

• High fever
• Chills
• Sweating
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Aches and pains in muscles and joints
• Dry cough

The flu vs. the common cold:
The symptoms for the flu are usually more severe than the symptoms of a cold and can last for a much longer period of time.

• The flu: Symptoms last up to a week and sometimes more
  The common cold: Symptoms last 2-3 days
• The flu: Causes a high fever
  The common cold: Can sometimes cause a mild fever
• The flu: Muscular pains and shivering attacks will occur
  The common cold: No muscular pain should occur
• The flu: Starts off with a dry sensation in the back of the nose and throat
  The common cold: Usually starts off with runny or blocked nose

Read the full article here.

This year’s winter seems to be one of the coldest we have had in a while. The cold weather can have health implications for us all but in particular vulnerable groups such as elderly people are most at risk.

Charnwood.gov has provided some helpful and simple tips to help you make sure your loved one stays warm this winter:

• Make sure your loved one keeps warm at all times – even if it appears to be mild outside.
• Make sure your loved one’s hands and feet are kept warm as cold temperatures can cause problems with circulation.
• Make sure your loved one keeps their windows and doors closed during cold weather as most people are more likely to be struck by the common cold if they have a cold nose.
• Encourage your loved one to use heating appliances.
• Be sure your loved one wears adequate warm clothing – several layers is better than one thick layer.
• Be sure to encourage your loved one to visit their doctor or medical centre and get vaccinated for the flu, as it can affect elderly people much more severely.

If your loved one lives alone, or you have an elderly friend or neighbour, be sure to check up on them and encourage them to stay warm this winter.

Read the full article here.

The elderly are most at risk of becoming very sick with flu complications, especially those with chronic diseases or those who are over the age of 84. Because of this, an annual flu vaccine is highly recommended for those falling within this category as well as all adult Australians.

AgingCare have outlined some common misconceptions and facts about the flu and the flu vaccine:

Myth 1: Getting a flu vaccine can give you the flu. The truth is that the flu vaccine can’t give you the flu because injected flu vaccines only contain a dead virus, and a dead virus can't infect you.

Myth 2: There is no treatment for the flu. This isn’t true – your loved one should see a doctor, who will prescribe medications to reduce the severity of the flu symptoms.

Myth 3: If you’re young and healthy, you don’t need to get a flu vaccine. Healthy adults are as susceptible to the flu as anyone else and if you live with or regularly visit an elderly parent, your flu could risk their health.

Help your loved one stay safe from the flu by preventing sickness with a flu vaccine, and reducing the risk of complications by resting and seeing a doctor.

Read the full article HERE.