Ken Timoney: Reducing the risk of contracting Swine Flu

26 November 2009 (updated: 12 January 2011)
print version send to a friend share on facebook share on linkedin

Ken Timoney...

I have Psoriatic Arthritis, similar I think to RA but with the skin condition called Psoriasis. I recently had the swine flu jab, it was a particularly difficult decision to make as there was a lot of coverage in the media regarding the swine flu vaccine, is it good or bad ? was the preparation of it rushed ? are there harmful ingredients. All of these questions, and then on top of those I was also thinking if I get the jab will it stop me from taking my biologics and methotrexate ? I suppose the last question had me more fearful than the rest. While at a recent visit to my GP I discussed the vaccine for swine flu and my medications, he assured me that getting the swine flu jab would have no ill effects on my medications, just as the annual flu jab had no ill effects about a month earlier. That was all fine but then in the back of my mind there was the doubt about the swine flu vaccine being rushed or having harmful ingredients, so I asked my GP would he have the vaccine ? he said yes and that was good enough for me. Vaccine or no vaccine there are things we can all do to reduce the spread of swine flu.

Here are a few tips:

  • Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough.
  • Wash your hands. This is the most important precaution to reduce risk of germs. Wash with soap and water, lathering for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” twice. Remember if you are in a public place sing it to yourself
  • Alcohol gel is useful in situations where soap and water is not immediately available
  • In the kitchen, soak your dishcloth / sponge in a disinfectant for fifteen minutes. You can then use this solution to scrub the kitchen sink.
  • Always carry tissues and cover your nose and mouth with them when coughing or sneezing. If you have no tissues immediately available, coughing or sneezing into your arm or sleeve (not into your hand) is recommended
  • Always dispose of used tissues into a bin immediately
  • Carry disinfectant wipes with you and use them on door handles, shopping trolleys, ATM buttons etc.
And remember, the HSE and the Irish Society for Rheumatology are the best places to find the most up to date information on swine flu.

Check out www.swineflu.ie or http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=89 if you think you might be at risk.

After leaving the GP's it occured to me that in the past I wouldn't have had the confidence to have an in depth discussion on medical matters relating to me, previously I would ask a question and then take the answer without question. I recently completed the Arthritis Ireland "Living well with Arthritis" programme in Cork and I now feel a lot more confident in my outlook and my ability to manage my condition. There is a section entitled " Getting the most out of your appointment " which is a great help also in increasing your confidence during appointments.