Wednesday 27 September 2017

Are you ready...

I saw a post on an Australian blog about preparing for a possible flu epidemic over there and they mentioned about checking their first aid kit/box.

We only remember to do this, probably once a year sometimes less:(

Out came said box and no end of everyday items were out of  date. You know the kind of thing that only gets used infrequently such as Savlon, gel for mouth ulcers, indigestion medicine, insect bite reliever etc.

However, there were also a few prescription creams and gels, long out of date. You seem to get such a huge amount for a short treatment, then it gets thrown in the box for possible future use. Even if it does get used again, it will be out of date eventually.

Prescription medicines should be returned to your pharmacy for safe disposal, especially the powerful steriods/antibiotic type items that might damage the environment. Other items, I disposed of myself, remembering to remove my id labels and putting the paper instructions and boxes into the recycling bin.

I can't yet get a free flu jab but last year, I paid £7 in Sainsburys to have one for the first time. I think that is a good price considering how flu knocks you for six should you be unlucky to get it. There are often 3, sometimes 4 different types of flu virus in the one vaccine, so over the years, your body should build up a good resistance to quite a few of them and hopefully help.

Young people, especially those with asthma or those who work with children, the elderly or in an environment where there are a lot of people, should get one. If you work where there is air conditioning that may spread the germs around, you may be more vulnerable, so should seriously think about get a jab. If they start young enough, they should build up good resistance to future threats.

If only they would listen!

7 comments:

  1. I'm entitled to a free flu jab (diabetic) but I never take the invitation up. I've already had a reminder - I'll have to decide yet again.

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    1. Every year you get protection against 3 or 4 variations, over the years, that builds up. I have had flu once, was very ill to say the least, got bronchitis twice, lost half a stone in weight due to vomiting because of the racking cough. I eventually had to give up nursing because my heart lost mass and I could no longer 'take the strain' as they say.

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  2. I had my flu jab at my GP surgery on Saturday. I've had flu once in the past and it was awful; even my skin hurt :(

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    Replies
    1. Must get mine soon. Nothing worse than over sensitive skin.

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  3. The flu shot is free to everyone that is a resident in our province. At the age of 65 we also get the Pneumococcal vaccine for free. I can't remember how many years that the flu vaccine has been free because I always got it for free because I worked in the school system. I just now I've had it every year since it's been available and in all those years I haven't had the flu-touch wood!!!lol

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    Replies
    1. Not here unless you have a long term illness or over 65.

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  4. A couple of years ago, a friend's son got chicken pox and she couldn't find calamine lotion anywhere here (France) to soothe his sore skin. So, I dug out my bottle for her. Later, when she returned the bottle, she thanked me and asked did I realise that it was dated 1993 and might be a little out-of-date? Still got the bottle, and still digging it out occasionally - still works a treat!

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