A review of last weeks new 1st of 3 pts about all things "Flu"...this week - symptoms and complications
Posted by Eamonn Brady on
Get the flu vaccine...not the flu! Part 1
Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacies, Pearse St and Clonmore, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie
Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can affect people of any age. You can get the flu vaccination your GP surgery or local pharmacy. The flu vaccine is free if over 65, children under 18, people with long-term illness, pregnant women, and health care workers. You can get your flu vaccine at Whelehans Pearse St and Whelehans Clonmore. It only takes a few minutes. For convenience you can book your flu vaccination online on the Whelehans Pharmacy website.
Symptoms of Flu
Symptoms of flu include sudden fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, non-productive dry cough, exhaustion, and weakness. Flu characteristically causes a temperature of 38 to 40° C that lasts 3-4 days.
Complications of flu
Most people recover from flu in 2-7 days, but in some it can last for up to two or three weeks. Flu can be severe and can cause serious illness and death, especially in the very young and in the elderly. Serious respiratory complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis. Older people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are at particular risk of these complications. Pregnant women and women up to six weeks after giving birth have also been found to be at increased risk of the complications of flu. 80 to 90% of reported deaths from influenza occur in the elderly, mainly from bacterial pneumonia (200 deaths per year in Ireland), but also from the underlying disease.
Convenient Vaccination Service at Whelehans Pharmacies
The only way to get protected from flu is by getting vaccinated. Whelehans offer flu vaccine at our Pearse St and Clonmore store most days from 8:30am daily for adults and children; For convenience you can book online on the Whelehans Pharmacy website or ring us at 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore). It only takes a few minutes to get vaccinated. Cost €25 or €20 if you book online. It is free for over 65s, children and people with long term medical conditions and healthcare workers.
Covid-19 booster clinic at Whelehans
Whelehans Pearse St also offer a weekly walk in Covid-19 booster clinic.
What is BPro Cardio Screen Service?
BPro Cardio Screen measures artery stiffness to identify risk of blockages and cardiovascular and circulatory disease. BPRo is placed like a watch on your wrist and is pain free. A pulse wave reads and calculates a wave signal that indicates the elasticity of large, small, and peripheral artery walls as well as tests for stress, central blood pressure, heart rate, and more. It is now €35 (was €50). The next clinic is Saturday November 26th (from 9am to 5pm) at Whelehans Pearse St. Book online on the Whelehans Website or by calling Whelehans at 04493 34591.
To be continued… next week
Disclaimer: BPro Cardio is not an alternative to medical assessment; it can indicate risk of cardiovascular events but is not a diagnosis.
Check www.hse.ie for more vaccine information. For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans Pharmacies, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore).