My name is Joanne and I have been a qualified nurse for twenty two years, I work as a practice nurse in Newton Aycliffe, and thought it would be a good idea to write a monthly blog on areas of health that might help people. For the past two years all we have talked about is Covid and I think it is time we focused on other areas of important healthcare that may have been forgotten.
Childhood diseases are making a comeback. As we return to communities circulating and mixing at the same level as pre-pandemic, we are seeing outbreaks of Hepatitis, Scarlet Fever, Chicken Pox, Diptheria. Not all of these diseases are vaccine preventable, but for those that are, vaccination is best. We need herd protection for those too young or too unwell to be vaccinated. There are many reasons why families and individuals have missed routine vaccination appointments, but it is important if you have missed your appointment to contact your surgery to rebook.
We are so lucky to live in a country where a lot of diseases we don’t see anymore. Since the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988, Measles, Mumps and Rubella have become rare in the UK, so rare that sometimes we forget how dangerous these diseases can be. Measles can lead to infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or the brain itself (encephalitis) which can lead to long term disabilities or even death. Measles is highly contagious, so even a small decline in MMR uptake can lead to a rise in cases. (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them). We are finding less people attending for their 1 year and pre school immunisations, this is when your children are more likely to be mixing with other children, starting nursery and school. The MMR vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect anyone from Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Please contact your surgery if you think your child has missed these vaccines. As our children get older we worry about them getting upset having vaccinations, but the nurses are trained to deal with this in a kind, caring way, and a little bribery with sweets and stickers works wonders!
Holiday season is upon us and, with restrictions being lifted, we are all looking forward to our jolly hols for the first time in a couple of years. As we book our holiday’s we often don’t think of the health risks that travelling abroad may often pose. At least eight weeks before you travel you should contact your GP surgery to see if any travel advice is needed and to allow time for vaccinations, if required, or log on to https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx – Not all travel vaccinations are free on the NHS, Rabies, Hep B, Japanese Encephalitis are vaccinations you would have to pay for if you chose to have them, Yellow Fever, if needed in a high-risk country, is compulsory for travel.
Bites and stings are a popular complaint within GP practice. Foreign travel, summertime, and animals, all make us a potential lovely nibble for insects, fleas and wasps. Protecting yourself with sprays and cream containing 30% + of Deet will help protect you. Most bites and stings can look red, sore and itchy, and this can sometimes be mistaken for infection. Over the counter antihistamines, bought at most local shops, is enough to settle the histamine release causing your irritating symptoms. GP’s no longer supply antihistamines on prescription. Advice can be sought from your local chemist, so if in doubt ask them first.