%> Granville Family Pharmacy
Your Local Pharmacist is

Morris Morcos

1 60 South St
Granville NSW 2142
ph: (02) 9637 5765
fax: (02) 9682 6368

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:: In Brief

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Click here to find out more about what's in your medicine



Find out about the changes to the PBS Safety Net

 Find out about the benefits of pampering yourself



:: How to Avoid the Flu
Top Tips Top Tips to avoid the flu
Top Tips

Below are some important tips for not only avoiding Swine Flu, but also other viruses.  Influenza, a potentially fatal disease, is largely preventable.
 

 Tip 1 - Wash Your Hands

Every time you shake someone’s hand, touch a doorknob, or pick up the coffee pot at work, you may be exposing yourself to a bevy of germs. Thankfully, it’s not necessary to permanently don gloves to keep your hands clean. You don’t even need antibacterial soap. Copious amounts of running water and vigorous rubbing with regular soap for 20 seconds will do the trick.

Tip 1:  Wash your handsThough soap and water are always the best option, keeping a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer around can give you extra protection. Also, even if you’re vigilant about keeping your hands clean, try to avoid touching your eyes and nose. These are the primary routes by which viruses can enter your body.

Wash your hands:

  • Before preparing or eating food
  • After going to the bathroom
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
  • Before and after tending to someone who is sick
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling an animal or animal waste
  • After handling garbage
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
     

Tip 2:  Cover Your Mouth!

Tip 2:  Cover your mouthCover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw away the tissue in a garbage bin after you use it.

Cough or sneeze into the crook (inside elbow) of your arm. This way you do not transfer the germs to your hands and then to every object you touch.

Swine flu is very contagious, and can spread easily by touching an infected object and then touching your face. A flu mask will help you avoid infection in enclosed spaces.

When in the public touch handles and pens as little as possible as these are loaded with germs.

If travelling on a plane or train be vigilant as transferring of germs is much easier in confined spaces.
 


Tip 3: Avoid Sick People

Tip 3:  Avoid Sick People
Stay away from sick people!  Don't feel that you are doing the right thing by visiting them. 

You are just contributing to the risk of spreading the virus.

Maybe you could call them or send them a note or flowers saying that you are thinking of them. 

Even dropping a nice meal at their door may help.


 Tip 4:  Get Plenty of Sleep

Tip 4:  Get Plenty of SleepGetting about eight hours of sleep a night will help your immune system to function better. If you are fatigued, it is harder for the body to fight off infections.

Stress has a negative impact on your overall health and, over time, makes it much harder for the body to fight off infections.

Stress reduction methods such as meditation, aromatherapy and yoga are enjoyable, easy ways to reduce stress and thus make your body healthier.


 Tip 5:  Keep Hydrated

Tip 5:   Keep HydratedWater is needed to maintain a healthy body, a clear mind, and a good balance within your tissues. About 60% of your body is water and to function efficiently, you must stay hydrated. 

Drinking plenty of water will keep your mucous membranes well-hydrated and helps to flush germs and toxins out of your body. Try and aim for six to eight glasses a day.

How much is enough? Nine cups of fluid per day for women and thirteen cups of fluid per day for men is recommended.  Even more if you live in a hot climate or are very physically active.  Sounds like a lot, but it adds up quickly… and although water is your best bet, ALL fluids count (including coffee, tea and milk in your cereal). Even juicy fruits and vegetables.


 Tip 6:  Balanced Nutrition
Tip 6:  Balanced Diett’s no revelation that eating the right foods will help individuals stay healthy. Tailoring one's diet to include specific nutrients—and possibly adding a few supplements—will provide an additional edge on respiratory viruses:
  • Flavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables, are potent anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. One in particular, quercetin, has demonstrated promise in helping reduce viral activity. Quercetin is found in red onions, apples, broccoli, tea, and grapes. Supplements are also available.
  • Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6): IP6, a B-vitamin derivative, supports the acitivity of NK cells, a specialised population of lymphocytes that protect us from viral infection. IP6 is found in high concentrations in whole grains, legumes, and wheat bran. It, too, is available as a supplement.
  • Mushrooms: For fungal devotees, shiitake, agaricus, and maitake mushrooms all contain beta-glucans that stimulate cytokine production. (Yuminamochi, et al. Interleukin-12- and interferon-gamma-mediated NK cell activation by Agaricus blazei. Immunology 2007 Jun;121(2):197-206)

 Tip 7:  Talk to Your Pharmacist

Ask your PharmacistYour local Pharmacist will be able to offer you advice and support

Benefits of getting help from your local pharmacy

The major benefits of getting weight loss help from your local pharmacy include:

  • Easy Access - Most people have pharmacies close to where they live
  • Trust - Pharmacists are trained professionals who are usually very highly trusted
  • Existing Relationships - Many of us already have a relationship with our local pharmacist whom we buy medicines and other health management products from
  • Co-operation - Pharmacists have a track record of working well with other health professionals such as GP's, dietitians, etc
  • Condition Management - In addition to helping us to quit smoking or lose weight, pharmacists are also in a unique position to be able to assist us in the management of weight related conditions such as diabetes for example
  • Ongoing Support - Pharmacists can provide ongoing support which is a critically important factor in successful long-term weight loss or smoking cessation.

 If you would like any advice on how to avoid the flu, visit your Pharmacy today

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