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Protecting Vulnerable Loved Ones During Flu Season. A practical UK guide from That’s Health

When flu is circulating widely, including the strain often referred to in the media as the “Australian superflu”, protecting vulnerable people becomes just as important as treating the illness itself.

Older adults, people with long-term health conditions, those who are immunocompromised, pregnant women, and very young children can all become seriously unwell from flu. 

Even when vaccinations have been taken (and they absolutely still matter), extra care is essential.

This guide is written for households who want to do the right, sensible things without panic, guilt, or turning daily life into an obstacle course.

Who is considered “vulnerable” to flu complications?

In UK health guidance, higher-risk groups include:

Adults aged 65 and over

People with heart, lung, kidney, liver, or neurological conditions

Those with diabetes

Anyone with a weakened immune system (including cancer treatment, long-term steroid use, or certain medications)

Pregnant women

Young children, especially under five

If someone in your household or family falls into one of these categories, flu should always be taken seriously.

Vaccination still matters — even when flu breaks through

A common and understandable frustration is:

“But they had the flu jab and still got ill.”

Flu vaccines are designed primarily to reduce severity and complications, not to guarantee complete protection. 

Even in seasons where the circulating strains don’t match the vaccine perfectly, vaccination significantly lowers the risk of hospitalisation and serious outcomes.

Encouraging eligible loved ones to keep up with vaccinations remains one of the most effective protective steps.

Everyday protection that genuinely helps

You don’t need medical-grade routines — consistency is what counts.

Hand hygiene (the boring one that works)

Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

Especially after coughing, sneezing, blowing noses, or caring for someone ill

Alcohol hand gel is useful, but soap and water are better when available

Shared spaces: small changes, big impact

Wipe down door handles, remote controls, phones, kettle handles

Avoid sharing mugs, cutlery, towels, or pillows during illness

Use separate bins or empty them frequently

Ventilation (yes, even in winter)

Fresh air reduces viral concentration indoors.

Open windows briefly several times a day

Ten minutes can make a meaningful difference without freezing the house

Masks: when they make sense at home

Masks aren’t necessary all the time — but they can be useful when:

Someone with flu symptoms is caring for a vulnerable person

Close contact can’t be avoided (helping with washing, dressing, medication)

A vulnerable person must be in shared spaces with someone unwell

A simple, well-fitting mask worn correctly can reduce risk without drama.

Managing visitors during flu outbreaks

This can feel awkward, but it’s important.

It’s reasonable to:

Ask visitors to postpone visits if they’re unwell

Request handwashing on arrival

Keep visits shorter and in well-ventilated rooms

Anyone who truly cares will understand.

Food, fluids, and energy: quiet protection

For vulnerable people, dehydration and exhaustion can worsen outcomes.

Support with:

Regular drinks (water, squash, warm beverages)

Nutritious but gentle foods (soups, stews, porridge)

Encouraging rest without pressure to “keep going”

Small, frequent intake is often better than large meals.

Antivirals: worth knowing about

In the UK, antiviral medicines such as oseltamivir may be offered to people at higher risk of complications if flu is suspected — especially if treatment can begin early.

Access is usually via:

NHS 111

GP services

Out-of-hours services

If a vulnerable person develops flu symptoms, don’t wait it out — ask for advice promptly.

Warning signs that need medical advice urgently

Contact NHS 111 or seek urgent care if a vulnerable person experiences:

Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

Chest pain

Confusion or unusual drowsiness

Very little urine output or inability to keep fluids down

Symptoms that worsen after seeming to improve

High fever that isn’t settling

Trust your instincts — early advice can prevent serious complications.

Emotional care matters too

Illness can be frightening, especially for older or medically vulnerable people.

Reassure without minimising

Keep explanations calm and clear

Maintain routines where possible

Let rest be restorative, not isolating

Loneliness and anxiety can slow recovery just as much as physical illness.

A final word from That’s Health

Protecting vulnerable people during flu season isn’t about fear — it’s about thoughtful, practical care.

Vaccinations, hygiene, ventilation, rest, and early medical advice form a quiet safety net that genuinely saves lives.

If flu is circulating where you live, being cautious is not overreacting.

It’s caring.

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New UK-Built Pain Reset Planner Helps People With Chronic Back and Nerve Pain Regain Control Without Guesswork

An amazing new digital health tool, the Personalised Pain Reset Planner, is launching in the UK with a clear mission: to help people living with chronic back and nerve pain regain structure, clarity, and control after traditional treatments fall short.

Designed for individuals who are dealing with conditions likes disc bulges, sciatica, and persistent nerve pain, the planner takes a different approach from conventional pain solutions. 

Rather than offering isolated exercises, medications, or one-size-fits-all routines, it focuses on identifying pain patterns over time, tracking flare triggers, movement tolerance, inflammation load, sleep quality, and recovery signals.

The system is bundled with an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle Blueprint, addressing often-overlooked contributors to chronic pain such as stress, poor sleep timing, inconsistent habits, and recovery debt.

“Most people aren’t failing at recovery,” the creator of the Pain Reset Planner told That's Health. “They’re just guessing. Pain doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s actually shaped by patterns. When people finally see those patterns clearly, everything changes.”

The planner was created after observing a recurring theme among chronic pain sufferers: repeated misdiagnoses, short-term relief from medication, and fragmented advice that never connected the dots. By providing daily and weekly structure, the tool helps users move from reactive pain management to proactive self-management.

Unlike many pain products, the Pain Reset Planner makes no promises of instant cures. Instead, it positions itself as a long-term companion—one that evolves with the user and adapts to their real-life limitations.

Early users report improved confidence, better understanding of their flare triggers, and reduced fear around movement, often within days of consistent use.

The Personalised Pain Reset Planner and Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle Blueprint are now available online, with an introductory launch price available for a limited time.

https://painkillers.uk

Maple Syrup for a Sore Throat: A Naturally Sweet Soother

When a sore throat strikes, many of us instinctively reach for honey and lemon.

 But there’s another cupboard staple that deserves a little more attention: maple syrup. 

Rich, soothing and entirely plant-based, maple syrup can be a surprisingly effective comfort remedy when your throat feels raw, scratchy, or inflamed. 

My wife has an allergy to bees and honey, so w are really pleased to find this alternative to honey.

This isn’t about miracle cures or medical claims, it’s about gentle relief, warmth, and using what you already have to feel a bit better.

Why Maple Syrup Can Help

Pure maple syrup isn’t just sweet. It has a few properties that make it useful when you’re feeling under the weather:

Thick and coating – It can gently coat the throat, helping to ease irritation in much the same way honey does.

Naturally antimicrobial – Maple syrup contains plant compounds that may help inhibit certain bacteria.

Anti-inflammatory compounds – These can help calm irritation, particularly when paired with warm liquids.

Vegan-friendly – Ideal if you avoid honey or animal products.

The key is to use pure maple syrup, not “maple-flavoured” pancake syrups, which are usually made from sugar syrup and flavourings.

Simple Ways to Use Maple Syrup for a Sore Throat

1. Straight from the Spoon

Sometimes the simplest approach works best.

Take one teaspoon of pure maple syrup

Let it slowly coat your throat before swallowing

Repeat every few hours as needed

This can be especially soothing first thing in the morning or before bed.

2. Maple, Lemon and Warm Water

A classic combination with a maple twist.

You’ll need:

Warm (not boiling) water

1 tablespoon maple syrup

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Stir well and sip slowly. The warmth relaxes the throat muscles, the lemon cuts through mucus, and the maple syrup adds soothing sweetness.

3. Maple and Ginger Tea

Perfect if your sore throat comes with a cold or congestion.

How to make it:

Steep fresh ginger slices or a ginger teabag in hot water

Stir in 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Optional: add lemon or a pinch of cinnamon

Ginger’s warming properties pair beautifully with maple syrup for comfort and flavour.

4. Maple Syrup Throat Drizzle

For particularly dry or scratchy throats:

Mix maple syrup with a few drops of lemon juice

Take small sips throughout the day

It’s gentle, easy, and less harsh than some over-the-counter lozenges.

When Maple Syrup Is (and Isn’t) Enough

Maple syrup is best for mild sore throats, dryness, or irritation caused by colds, talking too much, or dry indoor air. It’s not a replacement for medical treatment.

You should seek advice if:

A sore throat lasts more than a few days

You have a high fever

Swallowing becomes painful or difficult

You suspect a bacterial infection

A Sweet Alternative Worth Keeping in the Cupboard

Whether you’re vegan, out of honey, or just fancy something different, maple syrup is a comforting, natural option that feels indulgent while being practical. 

It’s also far more versatile than many people realise — equally at home in hot drinks, on breakfast tables, or as a gentle throat soother.

Sometimes, feeling better starts with something simple, warm, and reassuring, and maple syrup fits that role beautifully.

You can source maple syrup products here https://www.maplefromcanada.co.uk

Global Pandemic Preparedness and Response report identifies critical need to expand pharmacy’s role in health emergency response

On the United Nations’ International Day of Epidemic Preparedness (27th December), an international body representing over one million pharmacists across the globe has published a report on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, calling on healthcare leaders and policymakers to urgently expand pharmacists’ roles in emergency preparedness and response strategies.

The report has been developed by the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association - the international body of the national pharmacy associations of Commonwealth of Nations member states - and utilises case studies from the COVID-19 pandemic to call upon governments to recognise pharmacy’s importance in safeguarding national and international health security as they seek to minimise the risk of future pandemics and tackle them as they arise.

Examining pharmacists’ role in tackling COVID-19 in countries in seven countries in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia*, the report concludes that, although pharmacists in each of these countries contributed significantly to pandemic response, they are also a largely untapped resource capable of strengthening health systems and preventing pandemic-related deaths with better representation in national emergency frameworks and decision-making processes.

The Report identifies four key systemic barriers preventing the potential of the pharmacy workforce in pandemic preparedness from being realised:

the exclusion of pharmacists from the policymaking level of emergency preparedness and response;

a lack of formal recognition of the roles they play in this field;

insufficient training and professional development opportunities for pharmacists in areas such as vaccine delivery, infection prevention and control, and disaster management;

structural deficiencies that prevent pharmacists from maintaining continuity of care during crises.

The report emphasises a need to advocate for stronger integration of pharmacists at all levels of pandemic preparedness and response alongside policy reform to consolidate this, as well as financial investment in pharmacy-specific training programmes and advanced digital health infrastructure.

Grace Grange, Research Officer at the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and principal author of the Pandemic Preparedness and Response report, told That's Health: “Pharmacists were essential to the COVID-19 response, yet they are too often excluded from emergency planning. If we are serious about strengthening pandemic preparedness, pharmacists must be embedded in health emergency frameworks. 

"This report presents clear evidence of their vital contributions from the COVID-19 pandemic and sets out practical recommendations that recognise integrating pharmacists as essential to future health emergencies.”

Dr Amy Chan, Senior Research Advisor at the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and co-author of the Pandemic Preparedness and Response report, added: “Pharmacists are the first line of defence in pandemic preparedness. As the health professional who is most accessible to our communities, they bring trusted health and medicines expertise in times of crisis to foster real-world resilience. This report highlights the important roles that pharmacists can play, and includes learnings from the pandemic to shape further growth of this role to improve the health of our nations."

Kwabena Asante Offei, Vice-President of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and contributor to the Pandemic Preparedness and Response report, said: "Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals who are within reach of community members and work within systems with the agility needed to mobilise and respond to emergencies. 

"Their integration into preparedness and response planning is essential if we are to reach more people, in more places, when emergencies occur. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated clearly that pharmacists are not peripheral to emergency response — they are essential. This report captures those lived experiences and underscores why strengthening the role of pharmacists protects communities and builds resilient health systems that can respond effectively to future crises."