When we breathe, oxygen enters our lungs and passes into our blood stream where it is collected by red blood cells and carried around the body. An oximeter can be used to spot check how well the oxygen is binding to your red blood cells through your finger. Previously most commonly used pre and post-exercise, pre and post-operations and to monitor respiratory conditions, they have become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic.
To make COVID testing easier and more available, rapid antigen tests (RATs) are being rolled out to businesses and through pharmacy. The nice thing about the RATs is they are less invasive than the tests used in the community testing centres (CTCs) and give a result in under 30-minutes. We’ll take a look at the tests ...
In 2020 we learnt much about the spread of viruses, the distance droplets can travel and how good hygiene protects us. We used lots of space, soap, disinfectants and the influenza (flu) vaccine. Flu infection rates dropped. In 2021 we have the option to add the COVID-19 vaccine to our arsenal against viruses. As influenza and coronavirus are caused by different viruses, vaccination against one does not offer any protection from the other. This means a three-step vaccination program is recommended for adults over 18 years, for most people, starting with your annual flu vaccination. Step 1: Influenza vaccine The flu vaccination offers protection for you and your loved ones against four strains of influenza. It is available for...
