Top 7 Questions to Ask About Flu Vaccine

Planning to get the flu vaccine but have questions in mind? There are plenty of thoughts that can arise in the mind regarding the flu vaccine and make you hesitant.

However, getting your questions answered and understanding the importance of flu vaccine by an experienced GP or a medical practitioner is recommended and is a common practice.

Here are top 7 questions you should ask your practitioner when you visit them for the flu vaccine.

Who is the Best Candidate for the Flu Shot?

Since it is challenging to tell who can contract influenza, let alone who will get really ill from it, the Australian Government advises that everyone older than six months receive an annual flu shot.

It offers protection for those who are weak and unable to receive vaccinations, such as infants under six months old and adults with inadequate immunity.

Why Are Healthy Little Children Recommended a Flu Vaccine?

Infants and children under the age of five, particularly those without underlying medical issues, are more likely to develop a severe influenza infection that necessitates hospitalisation than those that have already received the flu vaccine for kids and adults.

In a diagnosis conducted, it was found that 1 in 200 kids had laboratory-confirmed influenza. Kids who were previously healthy may become quite ill and experience influenza-related complications like pneumonia as well as encephalitis.

Can I Get the Flu from the Flu Shot?

The influenza vaccines given in Australia are not active. This means that the live influenza virus is not present in them. While some people suffer the adverse effects of influenza shots that resemble the virus’s initial symptoms (such as fever, fatigue, and muscular pains), these conditions typically go away on their own.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that any side effects are an indication that the vaccine is working as intended and inducing an immunological response.

How Does the Flu Vaccine Function?

The working of the flu vaccine is pretty simple. When you receive a vaccination, a very little amount of a disease-causing organism or germ enters your body (often by injection or oral intake) and activates the production of antibodies by your immune system.

If you are exposed to this type of germ in the future, the antibodies will recognise it and be able to kill it.

Can One Get the Vaccine Twice in the Same Flu Season?

Most persons receiving more than one dose of the vaccine during the same flu season does not appear to have any benefits, according to studies. However, for some individuals, receiving two doses of the flu vaccine in one season is advised. These include youngsters under the age of nine who have never received a flu shot people who have undergone a stem cell or organ transplant and are getting their first flu shot. Travelers from abroad travelling to the northern hemisphere during the winter are considered.

Pregnant women, even if they had the previous season’s vaccine, may also receive the vaccine for the upcoming season if it becomes available in the latter stages of their pregnant.

If a Woman Gets Vaccine When Pregnant, Does Her Baby Still Need It?

It is advised for all expectant women to get the flu shot during their time of pregnancy. In the important first few months of life before they can receive the vaccine, some of the antibodies the body produces as a response to the vaccine then passes to the baby during a women’s pregnancy.

This helps protect the baby from influenza and gain maximum benefits of flu vaccination.

What’s the Ideal Time to Get the Flu Shot?

Flu season normally lasts from June till September in Australia, and peaks mostly in August.

It’s essential to understand that our immunity is best effective till the period of four months from the time we are vaccinated.

Looking for flu vaccine in or around Hillside, get in touch with us at Parkwood Green Medical and we’ll help you out with affordable flu vaccine costs. To book your appointment or for any assistance, get in touch today with our practice.

It goes without saying finding a general practitioner is essential to ensure your healthcare is in good hands. Whether you need to simply change your existing practitioner or need a new one, familiarising yourself with the best medical clinic in Hillside and around your area is thus essential.

If you’re tired of looking up “best GP doctors near me” here are a few things you can consider before finding the right practitioner.

Recommendations & Referrals

The first thing you can do before finding a family general practitioner is to look for recommendations. Try asking your friends or family about their general practitioner and if they can recommend you a reliable one.

Make sure the physician is highly-skilled, professional, and helpful. Also, see to it that the GP is recommended by people online, both on social media and web portals. A good recommendation will help you get an ideal practitioner to take care of your basic medical needs.

Expertise & Clinical Skills

Now that you’ve a list of recommended doctors, you can start by looking at their expertise. Every general practitioner possesses some type of clinical expertise such as children’s medicine, internal medicine, and general practice.

Based on your needs or the needs of the patient you’re searching a doctor for, choose the appropriate doctor. While doing so, don’t forget to look for the total years of experience they have in their field.

Certification

It is extremely crucial that the general practitioner clinic you’re choosing is well-certified. One way to do this is by check whether the practitioner is registered with the Medical Board of Australia.

Such registered doctors use best practices for treatment and stay on the verge of latest news and happenings in the field of medicine, which could mean overall better quality medical care.

You can also see if your doctor has obtained a GP fellowship and is a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).

Location & Accessibility

While making a shortlist, you’d also want a practitioner that’s located in close proximity to where you live or work. You’ll also want to see how long they operate, whether they’re available after hours, or are open during weekends.

Alongside location, see if you’re comfortable communicating with your practitioner. Make sure your doctor speaks a common language you and your family are able to understand.

Emergency Care Availability

Emergencies can come any minute, which is why it’s also crucial to see if your GP in Hillside provides prompt medical care in case you meet with one.

Some practices provide an outpatient emergency care facility to help patients treat serious medical disorders and accidental injuries. Check whether your doctor provides treatment and care during emergencies. An experienced doctor will also have nurses and medical staff to attend to your needs and recommend the right course of action for quick recovery.

No matter if you’re in need of a small practice or a bigger facility with a more experienced doctor, it’s essential to understand your needs and expectations before you look for a general practitioner.

With that said, if you’re looking for qualified general practitioners in Hillside or best GP near your area, we have you covered. Parkwood Green Medical clinic provides a range of medical services from wellness checks to routine screenings, consultations and more to help you recover faster and better. Book an appointment with our general practitioner today.

Our doctors at Parkwood Green Medical can help us choose the right foods for good and optimal health and to also reduce the risk of significant health problems.

If we are carrying extra weight, our doctors can provide you with a diet plan to help you lose weight. We can steer you towards the right direction by pointing out the foods with high nutrients and lower kilojoules. These choices are nutrient dense but less energy dense, both helpful for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

People who want to lose eight will also find our recommended information and advice useful when preparing meals and snacks. Not only is diet a factor in achieving weight loss, but maintaining a healthy weight with exercise is also important.

Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges confronting Australia’s health system. Around 1.7million Australians have diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition which can affect the entire body. This type of condition requires self-care on a daily basis and if complications arise, diabetes can have a significant impact on the quality of life. With a negative impact on health, it can even reduce life expectancy. Even though there is currently no cure for this disease, you can still an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and how to manage it effectively.

There are three types of diabetes to be aware of:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes

It is important to note that diabetes can affect anyone and it does not discriminate. It is a serious condition where a number of symptoms can occur which are often sudden and life-threatening. However, in type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, which is why it is important to consult with your doctor.

There are many people around the world with cancer and if we found the disease earlier, we could have saved countless of lives. Frustrating isn’t it? Cancer is one of the biggest challenges we face today with no real cure. From breast cancer to bladder cancer, to brain tumours… the list goes on.

Colon cancer is one of the types of cancers that take as long as 10 years to actually turn into cancer. Finding them before they fully develop can actually prevent the disease from developing.

For example, one recent study showed that colonoscopies could prevent colon cancer in about 40 percent of cases. However, up to 70 percent of people 50 years old and older don’t have colonoscopies. As you can tell, the numbers don’t add up.

The same is true for other types of diseases as well. When it comes to cancer, early detection is the best form of prevention. As a patient, you can take steps to help with the prevention.