Time for Flu Vaccinations

                                                                       

It's that time again..... FLU SEASON BOO! :(

Have you had your Flu Vaccination??

Vaccinating against the Flu protects you and others. To state the obvious getting vaccinated reduces your risk of getting the flu and spreading it to others.

Research shows healthy working adults who are vaccinated against the flu have almost half the sick days and doctors visits than compared to those who are not vaccinated. Hence why many employers are now offering the flu vaccination free too their employees.

The Flu

Flu is highly contagious. You can catch the flu from other people anywhere. Just one sneeze can spread it up to a metre!

The flu is a Virus and like many viruses your friends, family and work colleagues could be spreading it to you before they even know they have it.

Like many other viruses the flu is continually evolving so you cannot guarantee natural immunity which is why it is recommended you get a flu vaccination EVERY YEAR.

Your risk of complications from the flu is greater if you are pregnant or aged 65 years and over or if you have cardiac disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, impaired immunity or a chronic neurological condition.

How the Flu Impacts You

It's much worse than a cold, the most common effects of flu are body aches, headaches, fever, chills and fatigue.
Some people are bed ridden and could be sick for a week or more.
Fever may last 3-5 days but cough and general unwellness can up last up to two weeks.
You performance ie work, driving etc can suffer to the same degree as if you had consumed alcohol.

FLU FACT                                                                                               

Each year in Australia the Flu causes an estimated:
18,000 Hospitalisations
1,500,000 lost work days
300,000 Doctor Visits

Need a Reminder for you Flu Vaccination??

Text 'FLU' to 199 99 FLU
                                 358*
A standard SMS Charge Applies (0.55 cents) for initial SMS to enrol. 

Each year you'll receive a Free SMS Reminding you it's time to get your Flu Vaccination.

Find out more at www.flu.com.au





Bec  x

Important Telephone Numbers and Websites for Mums

Sometimes Help is just a Phone Call Away

                                                                                                    

Aussie Mums Unite takes all Mums Health and Well Being Very Seriously!

I have compiled a list of useful Contact Numbers and Websites Australia Wide which I plan to keep adding to covering General Health, Mental Health, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding, Parenting and Domestic Violence and Abuse. Scroll down if you can't find what you are looking for let us know and we'll help find it for you.  
 Bec x 

 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ALWAYS DIAL 000

​General Health:

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13 Health - 13 43 25 84 (Queensland)
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Health Direct Australia - 1800 022 222
(All states except QLD)
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Free health information and assistance from a registered nurse, or medical advice from a doctor.
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Free from a landline
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Operating times:
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• 6pm-8am Monday to Friday
• 6pm Friday to 8am Saturday
• 12pm Saturday to 8am Monday
• and 24 hour on public holidays

 
Nurses on Call - 1300 60 60 24 (Victoria)
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1300 Medicine - 1300 633 424 (Australia Wide)
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Poisons Information Hotline - 13 11 26
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Mental Health:

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Whether you or someone you know has gone through a rough trot and maybe as a mum you just need someone to talk to or listen. These numbers will assist in provide crisis support in anxiety, depression, loneliness, abuse and trauma, suicide and stress
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Lifeline - 13 11 14
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Salvation Army Crisis Line - 02 9331 2000
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Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
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​GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL/TRANSGENDER

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender telephone Counselling and Information Hotline - 1800 18 4527

 PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Being a mum especially a new mum can be quite daunting. Expect to be inundated with advice from everyone.
​
Below are a  list of numbers to health professionals that are there to help. It is a stressful time and bonding with your baby is important. Never feel like you are alone.
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Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Hotline -  1800 882 436
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Pregnancy Counselling - 1800 777 690​
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Pregnancy Help Australia - 1300 792 798 (QLD, NSW, ACT & VIC) or
                           1300 655 156 (SA, WA, TAS, NT)
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Australian Breatsfeeding Association - 1800 686 2686
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Birth Trauma and Stress Group - 07 3809 0196 (Australia Wide)
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Or online support at -
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www.pregnancysupport.com.au
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www.breastfeeding.asn.au

PARENTING

 
Parentline QLD and NT -  1300 30 1300
8am - 10pm 7 days a week
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Parentline Victoria - 13 22 89
8am - 12am 7 days a week
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Parentline SA - 1300 364 100
24 hours a day 7 days a week
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Parentline NSW - 1300 1300 25
24 hours a day 7 days a week
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Parentline WA - (08) 9272 1466 or 1800 654 432
24 hours a day 7 days a week
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Parentline ACT - (02) 6287 3833
9am - 9pm Mon to Fri
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Parentline TAS - 1300 808 178
24 hours a day 7 days a week
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www.parentline.com.au

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and ABUSE

1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732

Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
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Child Abuse Prevention Centre -  1800 688 009
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Domestic Violence Crisis Line -  1800 019 116 (NT)
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Domestic Crisis Service -  1800 608 122 (TAS)
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Domestic Violence Line -  1800 656 463 (NSW)
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Domestic Violence Crisis Service - 1800 015 188 (VIC)
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Domestic Violence telephone Service -  1800 811 811 (QLD)
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Womens Domestic Violence Helpline - (08) 9223 1188
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In case of emergency always dial 000

 

Your Feedback is Important. Please let us know if there is anything you'd like us to add to our list of contacts. 

 

Quitting Smoking....Again

Aghh Smoking my nemesis.
I'd hate to know what it feels like to try and get off crack! Whilst I have never even tried or seen crack I swear giving up smoking is harder.

This filthy habit has controlled my life since I was 15, now 31 I have been smoking for more than half of my life!

So here we go again, another attempt to give up this horrid habit that has had a hold of me for 16 years! Cost me thousands of dollars. Since my last official attempt it has been stop, start, stop, start. So here's my next big attempt and after 1 week in I'm still going strong.

I have been to see my Doctor and have started on Champix. This time I'm not going to do it alone and it's ok to get some help.

So here's a little info about Champix....

It can help reduce craving and withdrawal symptoms and smoking while taking Champix will also reduce your enjoyment of cigarettes.

It works by blocking the effects of nicotine in your body. There are receptors for nicotine in the brain. Nicotine attaches to these receptors which sends a message to another part of the brain telling it to release dopamine which gives you a feeling of pleasure which only lasts a short time so the body wanting more of this good feeling makes a person want to keep smoking. Based on research Champix stops nicotine attaching to these receptors.

There are some side effects some of which are very common with anyone quitting smoking whether they are using Champix or not.

Changes in Mood, Behavior and Thinking including depression, anxiety, agitation, feelings of aggression, mood swings, seeing, hearing or sensing things that are not there, thoughts of self-harm or self harm. Worsening of these symptoms have been reported in people who already had mental health problems. These symptoms are not know if they are associated with Champix. These symptoms can appear as a result of stopping smoking with or without treatment.

Other symptoms may include nausea, stomach or bowel problems, headache, dizziness, sleep problems (difficulty sleeping, sleepiness, abnormal dreams), fatigue, increased appetite, changes in taste.  These are the most common side effects of Champix. They are usually mild,

Anything more serious seek medical attention immediately.

Breaking Free from the Chains of Smoking

So that's a little about Champix and your Doctor can tell you what's best for you.

Anyone else thinking about kicking this filthy habit?

Bec xx 

PS Wish me Luck!!