Page 47 - rp-may-2020

HEALTH COUGHS AND COLDS
45
RET AIL PHARMA C Y • MA Y 2020
By Nerine Zoio.
C
oughs and colds are despised
the world over with the aches,
pains, fatigue, congestion
and coughing that comes
with them. However, because they’re
so prevalent and seen as just a virus that
hits quite frequently, there’s often not
too much concern over them.
This year, however, the world is also
dealing with the deadly spread of
COVID-19, which has moved Australia’s
cold season into a whole new category
of attention.
With coronavirus lockdowns in full
swing, the Royal Australian College of
General Practitioners President, Dr Harry
Nespolon, is advising Australians to
get their flu shots as soon as possible,
in contrast to the College’s advice of
previous years that they should be
vaccinated around May.
The chief reason for this is that people
will probably have a greater chance of
accessing a health professional for the
shot in a safe way earlier in the year
rather than later when the virus could
peak, inundating healthcare professionals
and hospitals with patient care.
How can pharmacists tell the
difference between COVID-19 and
a common cough or cold?
Dr Rebekah Moles, Associate Professor
at the University of Sydney School
of Pharmacy’s Faculty of Medicine
and Health, tells
Retail Pharmacy
that
pharmacists should focus on a patient’s
history in terms of where they have been
before presenting with fears they might
have coronavirus.
“Questions asked should include
whether they’ve been overseas or
whether they’ve been around people
TO PAGE 46
THE COLD WAR
WITH A NOVEL TWIST
To place an order talk to your Sales Representative or call
1300 9 ARROW
www.chemistsown.com.au
Ask for
Chemists’ Own
®
this winter
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.