Health Info

To access this website click here www.healthinfo.org.nz it is an easy-to-use health reference website where you’ll find information about many conditions and diseases, specially created by Canterbury Health professionals using local knowledge and with your needs in mind. It has only useful and accurate information from a source you can trust.

HealthInfo includes links to other reputable sites.

TRAVELLING OVERSEAS?

Open the ‘Red Planet Travel’ link below to find our further information about where you are travelling to and what vaccines you may require.

[1] Red Planet Travel

Open the link to the ‘Pre-Travel Consultation Form’, print it, fill out and remember to bring with you to you first travel consultation.

[2] Pre-Travel Consultation Form

The first Pre-Travel Consultation will be with the GP followed by a Nurse consultation who will advise of the cost of the vaccines required. Vaccines must be paid for prior to vaccination.

Corona Virus

For reliable and regularly updated Corona Virus information please go to: www.health.govt.nz/coronavirus

COVID-19 VACCINES

For the latest information on COVID-19 Vaccinations click here:

https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccines/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccination/find-out-when-you-can-get-a-vaccine/

Influenza

Preventing the Flu, colds and other infections

As well as having a flu vaccination what else can you do to raise your immunity to the flu and to other cold viruses?

Vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for our immune systems. We make Vitamin D from sunshine and because of our latitude here in Canterbury we do not get enough sun in the winter. If you live or work inside most of the time you will probably have a low level of Vitamin D, and this decreases your resistance to infections. It is important that you do get some sunshine throughout the year: sure you should not get too much and you should avoid getting sunburn, but without some sunshine you have a higher chance of getting infections and cancer as well as osteoporosis . Vitamin D is available on prescription as a once-a-month tablet. If you feel your levels may be low, please ask for a prescription for Vitamin D tablets.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is also important for good health. Humans do not produce their own vitamin C in the body so it needs to be present in the diet every day. A good source is fruit such as Kiwifruit and citrus fruit, so why not make it a habit to eat some fresh fruit every day.
Zinc. Low levels of Zinc reduce immunity as well. If you feel you are starting to get a cold, then a dose of a good Zinc supplement is one of the few things that may help you to fight it off quickly. If you want to know if you are low in Zinc, Healthcare 2000 does a simple taste test which indicates if your level of Zinc is high or low. If you are low, then a supplement is indicated, but do not exceed the recommended dose, as long term high doses of zinc will reduce your immunity as well.
Avoid people with coughs and colds. Viruses are transmitted by droplets in the air from sick people, especially when they cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands before eating. Viruses are transmitted via your hands to your mouth too.

So as you see, the Flu vaccination is not the only measure you can take to reduce your chance of getting a virus this winter. Good Luck, and Good Health!