NURSING PROTECTING

NURSING PROTECTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN THE FLU SEASON Don’t forget your flu shot! The Health Department states that influenza (the flu) is a very contagious infection of the airways and affects people of all ages. Although it can be a mild disease, it can also cause very serious illness in otherwise healthy people. It can require hospitalisation and can cause death. Vaccination is a safe and effective Our medical advisor Professor way to protect you from serious disease caused by influenza. Bill Carroll offers the following comment for people with MS: Early influenza vaccination is "There is no evidence that these recommended for people aged vaccinations make MS worse six months and over. Anyone or cause a relapse. Should a who wants to protect themselves against influenza can talk to their relapse occur around the time of flu vaccination it is thought immunisation provider about to be coincidental. Occasionally getting vaccinated. people with MS can have a brief exacerbation of existing MS Our MSWA Clients often ask if symptoms, due to vaccination whether they should have the associated fever or fatigue, but this vaccination, especially relating to is not worsening of the MS. MS and some of the medications they take. The Government funded Health Direct (healthdirect.gov.au/colds-and-flu-treatments) is packed with health information and advice. You can call a Health Direct RN 24/7 for free advice: 1800 022 222. People with MS are advised to discuss any concerns with their treating neurologist or physician as soon as possible as it is essential to have the vaccination earlier rather than later to reduce the risk of contracting the flu". People with neurological or other chronic conditions are advised to discuss their concerns with their treating neurologist or GP as soon as possible; it is essential to have the vaccination earlier rather than later to reduce the risk of contracting the flu during the riskier winter months. Getting vaccinated helps protect both you and those around you. It’s particularly important to protect vulnerable people in the community who can’t be vaccinated, such as babies who are younger than six months and adults with low immunity. SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN, MSCN 14

COUNSELLING KIDS LEARNING ABOUT MS! In January the MSWA Children’s MS Education Workshop made a welcome return at the Rossmoyne Community Hall during the school holidays. The workshop had a wonderful turnout, with six children, five parents, and five MSWA staff from the Nursing and Counselling teams. The workshop is designed for families with children aged 6-12 years and a parent/significant family member living with MS. Our aim is to communicate science in an engaging, fun way and to give young people a better understanding of issues faced by their parent/family member living with MS. We started the day with some fun interactive games and an opportunity for the kids and parents to get to know one another. The workshop ran for three hours and had five interactive stations. One family took part in the activity at each station and then rotated until they had taken part in the activity at each station. Topics covered included information about vitamin D, the impact of MS on vision, walking, and bladder, and treatments for MS. The workshops were developed in the UK by Digesting Science in 2013 by the Barts MS Research team. DAJANA TESEVIC MSWA COUNSELLOR/ COORDINATOR OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND PEER SUPPORT What did parents say about taking part in the January workshops? “It gave me the opportunity to open dialogue with my kids about MS at their level.” “The event was great for my kids, they really enjoyed the excellent resources.” “The resources were amazing, and I would 100% recommend this for other families, particularly those that may have sheltered their kid from their diagnosis.” “We all gained a lot of clarity around MS.” What did children say about taking part in the workshops? “I learned all the different ways MS affects people.” (7 years old) “This will help me understand when my dad needs a rest.” (9 years old) Interested in coming along to the next workshop? Register your expression of interest with Dajana at Dajana.Tesevic@mswa.org.au or 0429 267 970. 15