In this Issue May 2004

Colds, 'Flu and Analgesics 

Trends in Online Health Use 

“Why Me? Asthma" DVD/VHS

Conference Diary 2004

Colds, 'Flu and Analgesics

Give some thought to prevention

Droplets of fluid from your nose or mouth spread cold and influenza viruses to other people. To prevent this transfer:

• keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth,

• use paper tissues to blow your nose and throw them away after use,

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap after blowing your nose, after covering your mouth for a cough or sneeze, and before preparing or eating food,

• do not share cups or cutlery with other people (especially if they are showing cold or 'flu symptoms).

Managing colds and influenza requires plenty of rest to help your body's immune system fight off the viruses. If you have a cold and also have asthma, follow with your written Asthma Action Plan. (No written Asthma Action Plan - please discuss this with your doctor next time you visit.)

It is also important to

• drink plenty of fluids to replace fluids lost from your body,

• avoid smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke,

• use medication to relieve aches and pains, and reduce fever,

• inhale steam to clear blocked sinuses and ease chest tightness in adults,

• use saline nasal sprays to help clear mucus,

• a decongestant, in the form of nasal spray, drops, tablets, or mixture, may help dry a runny nose or relieve blocked sinuses,

• suck ice or throat lozenges, or gargle warm, salty water to help soothe a sore throat.

Relieving aches and pains, and reducing fever

Whether you have the common cold that mostly affects your nose and your throat, or influenza, which is a more serious illness that can cause the whole body to ache, you may require some analgesics.

One of the most commonly used medications for the relief of cold and ‘flu symptoms is an analgesic such as aspirin, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). For some people who have asthma, aspirin may induce an asthma attack 30 minutes to three hours after ingestion. It is also important to recognise that cross sensitivity may occur with other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen), however, is seldom associated with cross sensitivity in patients with aspirin induced asthma.

A recent article in the British Medical Journal, by Dr Christine Jenkins and colleagues from Australia, noted that a significant proportion of people with asthma are sensitive to aspirin but many may be unaware of their sensitivity. Sensitivity rates reported vary widely but the reported systematic review showed an aspirin-induced asthma rate of 21% for adults and 4% for children.
 

Generally for people with asthma, your doctor can assess the severity of your illness, provide information about its expected duration, and advise you on treatment to help you to better manage your asthma through the illness.

It is especially important you consult your doctor if symptoms are severe, if they persist, or you develop severe headache, difficulty in waking up, a high fever, or if light hurts your eyes.

Reference

1. Jenkins C, Costello J, Hodge L. Systematic review of prevalence of aspirin induced asthma and its implications for clinical practice. BMJ. 2004 Feb 21;328(7437):434.  

For more information see
Asthma & Influenza - The Facts

Trends in Online Health Use

Anyone with access to the Internet has the ability to tap into an ever-increasing wealth of health information. Some health professionals are concerned that the complexity of the information may overwhelm patients at best and at worst be misunderstood.

The third Australian eHealth survey undertaken by AC Nielsen Consult¹ highlights a degree of discrimination amongst online health users concerning available information. Through various search strategies 86% of health users seek to clarify information and further 32% ask their doctor if they do not understand the information gathered.
 

Why a Health Web Site is Important?

There are over 5 million regular Internet users in Australia and almost one third are online health consumers over the age of 15.²

Importantly, nine out of ten consumers look to their GPs for advice about health issues. The Internet is the second most used source of health information through various medical sites where they can get information themselves.

 

Health information Online: compelling reasons for success. Access Patient empowerment and information access are inextricably linked. The Internet has allowed the ordinary person to tap into a world of health and medical information previously accessible only to professionals or the wealthy. Availability Information is available at the consumer’s convenience. Anonymity Information can be obtained without having to talk with anyone, particularly on sensitive topics. Authority The Internet provides validation and more information about a specific illness or condition.

The previous AC Neilsen's eHealth survey³ and the Pew Internet & American Life project⁴ show that more than 90% of people find information online that is useful to them.

Information online leads half of these people to ask new questions of their GP and one in five are more influenced to seek out their GP.

For people with asthma, access to online resources should serve to enhance their understanding of how to gain a better quality of life.

References

1. The third annual Australian eHealth Study, Health Consumers, Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists November 2003, ACNielsen.consult.

2. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (www.abs.gov.au)

3. The second annual Australian eHealth Study Impact of the Internet on Health Consumers, Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists November 2002, ACNielsen.consult.

4. The Pew Internet & American Life project : Online life report, Pew Internet & American Life, November 2000.

“Why Me? Asthma" DVD/VHS

The “Why Me? Asthma" DVD/VHS is an education program on asthma and self-management, suitable for people who are newly diagnosed with asthma.

The 40 minute program explains what asthma is and what you need to do to continue living a healthy, normal life.

Real life case studies give excellent examples and discuss the latest treatments for asthma.

The production of "Why Me? - Asthma" by Business Essentials was supported by the RACGP, Asthma Victoria and the National Asthma Council. 

 

How to order

“Why Me? Asthma" is available for purchase.

The DVD/VHS retails at $24.95 per copy
plus $5.50 postage and handling for a single copy
       $9.50, 2-5 copies; and
       $15.00, 6 or more copies

Preview and order “Why Me? Asthma" DVD/VHS now!

Conference Diary 2004

Submit brief conference/meeting details to the National Asthma Council for possible posting in our Conference Diary by email to nac@NationalAsthma.org.au.

International Pediatric Respiratory, Allergy and Immunology Congress. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre 10-13 July 2004. IPRAIC Hong Kong (www.ipriac.org)
National Medicines Symposium 2004 Quality Use of Medicines - Time for total integration Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Brisbane, Australia 28-30 July, 2004 National Medicines Symposium 2004 (www.nps.org.au/nms2004)
17th International Symposium on Epidemiology in Occupational Health Carlton Crest Hotel Melbourne, Australia 13-16 October 2004 EPICOH 2004 (www.med.monash.edu.au/epicoh2004)

 

Created May 27, 2004. Updated January 31, 2008