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://vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz/

Influenza

HEALTH INFO

YOU COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH INFLUENZA AT ANYTIME

Around one in four New Zealanders are infected with influenza each year. Many people won’t feel sick at all, but can still pass it on to others. Influenza can be anywhere. Contact with the influenza virus is almost unavoidable, and while contact does not necessarily mean infection, it does mean that you are never far from the possibility of catching influenza.

INFLUENZA FACTS

– Influenza is not just a bad cold – it can be serious and can be fatal
– Around 1.2 million kiwis become ill with influenza yearly
– Immunisation prepares your immune system to fight influenza
– You cannot catch influenza from the vaccine
– Influenza immunisation is free for those most at risk*

THE INFLUENZA VIRUS IS DIFFERENT FROM A COLD OR VIRUS

A cold virus only affects the nose, throat and the upper chest and lasts for a few days, whereas influenza can be a serious illness that affects the whole body and can last up to a week or more.

Cold symptoms:
– mild illness
– mild headache
– sometimes a cough
– mild fever
– runny nose
– muscle aches are uncommon

Flu symptoms:
– moderate to severe illness
– moderate to severe headache
– dry cough (may become moist)
– moderate to high fever
– muscle aches
– shivering
– bed rest is necessary
– can suffer severe complications (eg. pneumonia)

FLU AND COVID-19 QUESTIONS:
Q = Can I have both the annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination?
A = Yes, but not at the same time
Q = I dont have an appointment booked for a COVID-19 vaccination, should I wait to get the COVID-19 first?
A= If you dont have a booked appointment for COVID-19, have your flu vaccination first.
Q =I have had my COVID-19 vaccination, how long do I have to wait to get the flu vaccination?
A = Wait two weeks between the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations

FUNDED INFLUENZA VACCINE IS AVAILABLE EACH YEAR FOR PEOPLE WHO MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA SET BY PHARMAC

1. People 65 years of age or older; or

2. People under 65 years of age who have any of the following:

  • Cardiovascular diseases including Ischaemic heart disease, Congestive heart failure, Rheumatic heart disease, Congenital heart disease, Cerebrovascular disease
  • Chronic respiratory diseases
  • Asthma, if on a regular preventative therapy, or other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function including Chronic bronchitis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cystic fibrosis, emphysema.
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic renal disease
  • Any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
  • Autoimmune disease –may include: Coeliac disease, Crohns disease, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Immune suppression or immune deficiency including diseases modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) or targeted biologic therapies
  • HIV
  • Transplant recipient
  • Neuromuscular or CNS disease/disorder including Celebral palsy, Congenital myopathy, epilepsy, hydrocephaly, motor neurone disease,
  • Haemoglobinopathy including: Sickle cell anaemia, Thalassemia
  • Children on long-term aspirin
  • Cochlear implant
  • Error of metabolism at risk of major metabolic decompensation
  • Pre- or Post-splenectomy
  • Down syndrome
  • Pregnant women (any trimester)

3. Children aged 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness.

PREVENTING THE FLU, COLDS AND OTHER RESPIRATORY 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?

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Avoid people with coughs and colds. Viruses are transmitted by droplets in the air from sick people, especially when they cough or sneeze.

5. 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!

Southside Health
General Practice Medical Centre Rangiora Canterbury
10F Newnham Street
Rangiora, Canterbury
7400
NZ
Phone: 033135252
Fax: 033135254