Managing Illness During Winter
With the current virulent flu going around, the Medical Director of NEDOC, Dr Vicki Marchant has highlighted the importance of taking steps to mind ourselves and those around us:
- Make sure you’ve had your recommended winter vaccines
- Understand your medicines and make sure you have what you need in the Christmas season
- Avoid people with any obvious symptoms
- If you or your child is unwell, avoid close contact with people more at risk of viruses
- Keep your child home from school, childcare and other activities if they are not well enough to attend. “
She has the following advice for patients to be prepared in these last few days before Christmas to get a few things in and to ready in the event of any illness:
- Check your first aid box is well stocked to treat minor ailments at home without having to contact NEDOC – this should include paracetamol, ibuprofen, calpol or Nurofen for younger children, diarolyte for any gastric issues. (Mix with a little apple juice if it’s hard to get down for the little children); and a thermometer.
- Make sure to get your regular prescriptions filled by your own surgery in advance of Christmas as this cannot be done by NEDOC.
- Make sure also to get your regular medication from the pharmacy in advance as many pharmacies close over the Christmas weekend.
- There are some really good websites mychild.ie, hse.ie/winter or undertheweather.ie for useful advice on common illnesses like colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats.
- And if you are caring for someone that is terminally ill, please have medicines that are recommended by your Palliative Care team or GP for situations that could arise.
- A lot of respiratory illnesses are likely to occur in children over Christmas, most of these illnesses can be managed at home with over-the-counter medications. Again there is good advice on self-care from mychild.ie.
- A lot of everyday issues such as coughs and colds, headaches and minor cuts or sprains can be managed with over the counter medication, and your local pharmacist is a great source of advice too.
- However, NEDOC should be contacted in the case of children whose condition deteriorates following home measures or who are very lethargic or experiencing difficulties.
- And with regard to injuries, the best advice this winter is to avoid them if possible. If it is cold and icy, stay indoors.
Patients who need NEDOC should ring 1800 777 911 to get an appointment. There may be delays in answering the phone due to high demand and delays in getting appointments. NEDOC is not a walk-in service, and patients who do present at the centre without an appointment will be asked to ring the 1800 777 911 number.
Minor Injury Units are a very good alternative to ED for broken bones, sprains, minor burns and other non-life-threatening injuries. There is a Minor Injury Unit in Dundalk, Monaghan and Navan. These units have access to x-ray and basic diagnostic services. For more information go to hse.ie/injuryunits
Very urgent and emergency situations such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe shortness of breath, etc, patients should present to their local Emergency Department (ED) where they deal with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. If your symptoms are not as urgent, your wait in ED will be longer. ED’s are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Phone 112 or 999 if you need urgent medical help.
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