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Winter Health
For services available this Christmas please see: Christmas Health
If you are unfortunate enough to become ill this winter, you can do a great deal to help yourself get better.
Many winter illnesses can be treated effectively at home with basic remedies. If you don’t feel well, stay indoors and rest. Keep warm and go to bed if possible. Take plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and eat what you can. If you live alone, let a friend, relative or neighbour know that you’re ill.
For many winter ailments, you don’t need to visit your GP, have you considered your pharmacist or NHS Direct?
Your pharmacist
Your local pharmacist (chemist) is qualified to give you expert confidential advice on treating everyday ailments, which medicine to take, or whether to see your doctor.
Most pharmacists also provide a special minor ailments service allowing people who are exempt from prescription charges to receive medicines free of charge for illnesses like coughs and colds. Ask your pharmacist if they can offer you this scheme.
Click here to download the list of pharmacies open over the Christmas and New Year period
NHS Direct
You can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for confidential help 24 hours a day. They provide advice on getting the right treatment, information about particular conditions, or will help you find details of local health services.
You can access NHS Direct Online at: www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect or go to NHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV by pressing the‘interactive’ button on your remote control.
Choose well
There are a wide range of health services available in your area so it’s important to know where to go for specific health problems.
Choose well - your guide to choosing the right NHS service will help you decide.
Walk-in services
Walk-in services are for people who want medical help or advice quickly, but where the situation is not life threatening. A walk-in service can provide an alternative way of seeing a clinician without going to your own doctor.
Walk-in services in Sheffield:
Colds & flu
Colds and flu affect 15 million people each year in the UK. Often people make unnecessary trips to their GP when they should be resting at home. However, flu can be a serious condition for some people, so it’s important to get advice if you have flu like symptoms.
Find out more about colds and flu
Keeping Healthy
Reduce your chance of getting ill this winter with these easy tips:
Eat well, exercise & sleep - This will make it easier for your body to resist infection and fight off winter bugs
Wash your hands - Regularly washing your hands with soap and water will help you to avoid flu and other infections
Have a flu jab - If you are over 65, or under 65 but have a long term condition such as respiratory disease or diabetes, you are able to have a free flu jab. Speak to your GP if you think you may be eligible.
Wear the right clothes - Always dress warmly, it’s better to wear several thin layers rather than one thick one
Don’t smoke - Smoking affects your throat and lungs, making you more vulnerable to viruses that cause colds and flu. For support to give up smoking call the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 068 4490
Stay at home - If you are ill, stay at home and rest.
Find out more about how to stay well this winter on NHS Choices.
Keep Warm, Keep Well
Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm.
Cold weather can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
The government's advice on staying warm over the winter aims to reduce cold-related illness and deaths. Key tips include:
- Keep your home warm. Your main living room should be between around 18-21C (64-70F) and the rest of the house at a minimum of 16C (61F). You can also use a hot-water bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm while you're in bed.
- Wrap up warm, inside and out. Several thin layers of clothes are better than one thick layer. Don't forget to wear hats, gloves and scarves. If possible, stay inside during a cold period if you have heart or respiratory problems.
- Keep active. Move around at least once an hour and don't sit down for long periods of time. Even light exercise will help keep you warm.
- Look out for elderly friends and neighbours. Check they're safe and well through the winter. Make sure they're warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and medicines so they don't need to go out during very cold weather. If you are worried about a relative or an elderly neighbour, contact your local council or ring the Age UK helpline on 0800 00 99 66.
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