Author Archives: Jackie Aim

Influenza vaccine – how it’s given

A doctor giving a young man a vaccination injection in the upper arm.

© Crown copyright 2014

  • The flu vaccine does not contain live virus so it can not give your child the flu.
  • It is given once a year by injection to the upper outer area of the arm and it takes only seconds. It should not be painful, but some children may be apprehensive about having injections.
  • Possible mild side effects include pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, also occasionally slight fever, shivering, headache and aching muscles.
  • These symptoms usually disappear within one to two days without any treatment.

If you have to think about giving up work

A young adult woman looking stressed

© Crown copyright 2009

If it is not possible for you to continue working because of your COPD this can be devastating. Discuss your health with your GP first. Give yourself time to think about all your options before you decide. Get as much information as you can before you make a decision and talk it through with someone you trust.

  • Would your employer offer voluntary redundancy?
  • Would your employer offer early retirement? This could affect your pension.
  • What income would you be entitled to if you apply for state benefits? You would need to seek individual help to find this out as it depends on your personal circumstances. The benefits system is not only very complex but it is also being reviewed by the government and is likely to change. Some benefits depend on the amount of national insurance contributions you have made and others are means tested (i.e. on your assets). If you have other income or savings this can also affect your entitlement to state benefits. You can get more information from:

Change of job or role

Man using a keyboard at desk

© Crown Copyright 2009

If you think you can no longer work in your current job you may have to think about other options.

  • An alternative role within the same workplace? For example if you work outside at a warehouse could you change to an indoor job?
  • Could you change to a role away from the environment which is making your COPD worse? For example away from fumes, dust or extreme changes of temperature?
  • Could you change your role to include fewer responsibilities if stress is a contributing factor for your health?
  • Do you have other skills or experience which you could use in a different role. For example instructing junior staff or supervising others using your knowledge and experience?
  • You may however have to consider applying for other work.

Your working day

Staff in open plan office, speaking on telephone.

© Crown copyright 2009

Depending on your job there may be some flexibility to change your working day. You need to discuss options with your employer. Some employers may have more flexibility than others for example if you work for a small local company or a large national or international company the opportunities for flexibility can be different.

Can you change your working hours?

  • Flexi time?
  • Start later and finish later if your COPD is worse in the mornings?
  • Some companies offer condensed hours so you would work the same hours per week but over fewer days.
  • Could you reduce your hours or work part time?
  • Could you job share with someone else?
  • Could you work from home on some or all days?
  • Change from shift work to day time hours?
  • Could you negotiate time off for GP or hospital appointments? Time during the day to use your inhalers. There is no statutory right to this time off.
  • You should have a written policy to cover these situations or your employer can give discretionary leave on an individual basis.

Practical options to discuss with your employer

There may be practical options available which could help make your working day easier and allow your employer to keep an experienced member of staff.

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  • Parking. Could you get a parking space closer to the entrance? The Blue Badge scheme is for drivers or passengers with severe mobility problems. The scheme provides a range of on-street parking concessions enabling Blue Badge holders to park closer to where they need to go. The scheme does not apply to off-street car parking, in privately operated car parks. You must apply for a Blue Badge to the Scottish local authority in which you are resident.
  • Environment. Can you make your work area smoke, dust and fume free? Can the temperature in your area be adjusted? Do you have adequate ventilation or are you allowed to have a small desk fan? Would protective clothing help?
  • Facilities. Do you and work colleagues have access to good hand washing areas to help prevent spread of colds and flu? Is there a separate room where you could work at times when other workers are unwell with colds? Do you have somewhere to go in private when you need to clear your chest or take a short rest?
  • Your work desk. Does your chair have armrests? Is your desk the right height for your posture? Can you comfortably rest both forearms on your desk? Do you need to reorganise your work space to avoid heavy lifting, bending or reaching overhead?

Discussions with your employer

Two people sitting at a table at work

© Crown copyright 2009

If your work is affecting your health it is a good idea to start discussions with your employer when you have your diagnosis. If you work for a large organisation you may be able to speak to your occupational health or human resources department. You may already be in discussion with them. If you are off sick make a plan in advance for letting your employer know how your health state is progressing so you don’t push yourself to return to work if you are not well enough

Think about your work tasks.

  • Where you work
  • The conditions you work in
  • Your hours
  • What your job involves physically
  • Mental effort and concentration
  • Travel either as part of your work or to and from work

Work and your fitness

Description: A mature woman patient consulting a GP in the surgery consulting room.

© Crown Copyright 2009

A good place to start is to check with your GP and make sure you fully understand your COPD, your medications and how to stay as well as you can. This includes getting your flu vaccination, attending follow up appointments and so on.

Discuss your work with your GP. How much physical effort you need, what the work environment is like, can you fit in your medication around your work day?

You may be offered a place at a pulmonary rehabilitation class or you may be referred to a specialist respiratory physiotherapist for breathing control techniques or chest clearance.

Think about the routine tasks you need to do and how you do them.There may be things which you can change to make work easier.

  • If your work involves a lot of talking try to take rests. Talking all day can be tiring if you are breathless.
  • Use a case on wheels or a trolley to carry items around at work and avoid heavy lifting.
  • If you have to move objects try to roll, push or slide rather than lift. Get someone to help. Ask about a health and safety course on safe moving and handling at work.
  • Break up strenuous tasks in to smaller jobs pacing yourself as you go.

Work

A team of workmen pushing a trolley of the lorry wearing high visibility jackets and hard hats.

© Crown copyright 2009

If you are of working age and you have been diagnosed with COPD you may be concerned about how this could affect your ability to work now and in the future.

Working for as long as you are able with a diagnosis of COPD provides not only a daily routine but will improve your financial, social and psychological wellbeing as well as your physical health.

Here are some questions to think about:

  • Is your job affecting your COPD?.
  • Is your job making your COPD worse?.
  • Can your job be adjusted in some way to make managing both work and COPD easier?.

Everyone’s job role and the routines you do day-to-day at work are different.  Some jobs are physically demanding, where as other jobs can be more mentally focused and require you to sit for long periods of time.  Whatever your job, looking after yourself and managing the demands of work can be challenging. The suggestions and advice given here will hopefully allow you to consider your workplace, and the tasks you do in more detail.

Useful contacts

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Scotland's Charter

CHSS supports the Charter for a smoke free generation in Scotland by 2034 to protect young people and support positive health choices.

Medication

Group of teenagers

© Crown copyright 2009

As your child gets older they should be able to gradually, over time, take control and responsibility for their asthma including medication.
What can you do if you think your child is not taking their asthma medication?

  • Is there any particular reason why your teenager is not taking the medication? Talk to them about this. There could be a simple explanation.
  • Do they understand their medicines and what they are for?
  • Do they know how to take them correctly?
  • Does your child think their medicine is not effective or that they no longer need to take it? Your child also needs to be aware of the consequences of not taking their medication. Your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist can help to explain this.
  • Are they embarrassed to take inhalers in front of their friends?
  • Are they being bullied?

Teenagers can’t manage their asthma without their parents right away, it takes time.

  • Parents can’t make their teenager take medication into their body.
  • Asthma management needs a team approach. Good asthma control is not hard to achieve, but everyone needs to work together, teenagers, parents and your asthma team.
  • Knowing and understanding what the rest of your asthma team is doing is vital.
  • A personal asthma plan may help your child to understand and work out their priorities.

Self management