Hawkesbury Independent IND 168 May 2024 | Page 27

PHONE 4587 5999 www . wendyshome . com . au

here ’ s the latest advice

RSV
For most people , RSV infection causes a mild respiratory illness . Symptoms usually begin around two to eight days after exposure to the virus . Symptoms can include : - Runny nose - Cough - Wheeze - Difficulty breathing - Fever - Cyanosis ( bluish or greyish colour of the skin ). For the elderly , it ’ s often RSV that triggers the pneumonia that kills them . The virus can infect the lungs and breathing passages and is the leading cause of hospitalisations in infants nationwide . Available vaccines The Therapeutic Goods Administration ( TGA ) last year approved a drug called Nirsevimab , which is a long-acting antibody that ’ s been shown to reduce infections by about 75 % for up to five months .
While Nirsevimab is not currently part of the National Immunisation Program ( NIP ), some states have free immunisation programs for infants and children .
The TGA recently approved Arexvy , which is a protein-based vaccine , for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV .
It is currently only available on private prescription ( which means the consumer pays the full cost ) as it is not funded through the NIP .
However , the manufacturer of Arexvy has applied for the vaccine to be made available for free through the NIP .
After an inquiry from a member , NSA has established that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will be
considering Arexvy for listing at its meeting in late May . COVID-19 and ‘ flu-rona ’ COVID-19 transmission is low , but cases are expected to rise around the same time as the influenza and RSV peak .
Doctors are concerned COVID will piggyback onto another cough or cold so if someone has RSV , they might then happen to get COVID and have dual infections and be even sicker .
This is known as ‘ flu-rona ’, and older Australians and those who are immunocompromised are most at risk .
Six monthly COVID-19 boosters are now only recommended for those over the age of 75 . Anyone over 18 can have an annual booster .
If you ’ re 65 to 74 or severely immunocompromised you can have a six monthly booster . Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits .
In fact , it ’ s a good idea to chat to the doctor about which vaccinations you should have . Free shingles jab The risk of developing shingles increases with age . A new vaccine , tipped to be 90 % effective , is available for older and immunocompromised Australians .
Doctors say the pneumococcal vaccine is another important jab to get .
Pneumococcal disease can cause a variety of diseases , including pneumonia and meningitis , and young children and the elderly are most at risk .
It is free under the NIP for certain groups , including adults aged 70 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 50 and over .
Courtesy of National seniors - nationalseniors . com . au /

Don ’ t let your back scans define you !

Suitable exercise program for 50 years + focusing on strength , balance and falls prevention . Exercise program is delivered by health professionals and caters for all fitness levels . Walking aids are welcomed .
Greater West Exercise Physiology SOUTH WINDSOR Monday 10.30am , Tuesday 10.30am , Thursday 10.30am , Friday 10.30am Cost is $ 5 per session Unit 5 / 74 Mileham Street , South Windsor
Glossodia Community Hall Wednesday 10.30am - Cost is $ 5 per session 162 Golden Valley Drive , Glossodia
You are unique so you need a bespoke in-home support provider that gets to know YOU !
That is what we do best !
• Home Care Packages
• NDIS Support
• Veterans ’ Home Care
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Proudly serving the Hawkesbury , Western Sydney , Hills , Nepean & Blue Mountains since 1995 .

PHONE 4587 5999 www . wendyshome . com . au

North Richmond Neighbourhood Centre NORTH RICHMOND Monday 9.00am Friday 9.00am Cost is $ 5 per session 33 William Street , North Richmond
Richmond Uniting Church RICHMOND Wednesday 10.30am - Cost is $ 5 per session 25 West Market Street , Richmond
NEW LOCATION Greater Western Health , KURRAJONG Monday , Tuesday & Friday 10.30am 1147 Grose Vale Road Kurrajong
For information on attending the Move to Live Seniors Exercise program please contact 0404 871 484 or ( 02 ) 4577 2348

SUFFERING constant BACK PAIN ? Want to ENJOY LIFE again ?

Work & play like you used to after just a few sessions ! with Andreas Klein ,
One of the most often run examinations for back pain is a radiological scan - an X-ray , CT scan or MRI . All these scans are excellent in certain circumstances , and they can add valuable information to a clinical picture .
I see patients scans and their accompanying reports almost every day . Scans reveal many things , such as vertebrae with fractures , trophic or modic changes , vertebrae with altered shapes , fused vertebra ; many bulging or protruding discs , loss of disc height , osteophytes ( bony outgrowths from vertebrae ), stenosed ( blocked ) spinal canals and nerve exits and facet joint arthritis . All these are possible causes of back pain , and proper diagnosis is vital .
Often what is revealed on a scan is very important and helpful regarding the cause of back pain , the preferred treatment , and response . In some cases , scans may show a patient ’ s spine is in excellent condition and thus say little about the cause of their pain .
Sometimes patients come into the clinic having been told , based on scan results , that they ’ re just getting old and that there is little that can be done about their pain or their state of debility . Often such folk then simply put up with the pain , which is often quite high , even when on multiple medications , when help may be available .
This is definitely where you shouldn ’ t let your back scans define you !
While not every case of back pain will be fixed with manual therapies and indeed some people may need surgery or other treatments , simple intervention with appropriate muscle elongation therapy can often have surprising results .
Using specific techniques , we remove inflammatory fluids from back tissues , lengthen back muscles , allowing back tissue function to normalise . With regular treatment over a few weeks or months , depending on the severity of the problem in most cases chronic back pain goes completely , even in many long standing cases .
If you have a problem with a back injury or back pain and you ’ d like to know more , call Andreas at BHW on 02 4777 5264 or 0418 166 269 .
Andreas Klein Nutritionist & Remedial Therapist
BSc , Adv Dip Nut Med , DRM

FREE OFFER !

If you ’ re sick of being in constant back pain CALL NOW for your FREE 30min Assessment Session !
Valued at $ 55
I ’ ve personally developed this technique after 16 years experience :
“ After years of severe back pain I ’ m now enjoying golf , fully pain free and even started brick-laying again !” John Hasler , Glenmore Park
“ I ’ d given up really - I ’ d tried so many things . In just a couple of sessions the pain and muscle spasms had gone . I ’ d recommend your work to anyone .” Craig Gibson , Richmond
Remedial Muscle Elongation Therapy targets the cause of chronic back pain and inflammation to really eliminate them . This technique works well for shoulders and knees too !

Call Andreas 0418 166 269

THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 168 // MAY 2024 25