Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 14
As the dark nights set in and temperatures drop, NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Primary Care Together, and Salford City Council have come together to offer advice on staying well this winter.
Winter can be bad for our health, especially for older family members, friends and neighbours and people with long-term conditions. The cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all aggravate any existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to illnesses that are more common in winter. But there’s lots you can do to keep yourself, your family and your neighbours well this winter.
Stay well Make sure you get your flu jab. Flu can strike any time of the year, but it’s more common in the winter months. It’s not “just” a cold - flu can lead to serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and can even be deadly. That’s why the flu jab is free if you’re aged 65 or over or have a long-term health condition. If you have children or grandchildren aged two to three, they can get the flu nasal spray from the GP. Schoolchildren from reception to year six will also be offered the nasal spray through school. And, if you are the main carer for an older or disabled person, you may also be eligible for the free flu jab. Just speak to your GP. Check your medicine cabinet is ready for winter. Most common winter ailments, such as a cold, sore throat, cough, sinusitis or earache, can’t be treated with antibiotics. The best thing to do is •
Rest
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Drink plenty of fluids
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Have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up
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Talk to your pharmacist for advice on getting any pain relief you need such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
Your pharmacist can advise you on which medicines you should have in your cabinet to help get you and your family through the winter season.
