Virdee Pharmacy & Post Office

27/01/2021

25/03/2016

23/03/2016

Cold Sores: What are the Triggers?
Every so often the virus can be activated by certain triggers which vary from person to person but can include:
• Having another infection
• Having a high temperature
• Emotional upset or psychological stress
• Tiredness and fatigue
• An injury to the affected area
• Menstruation
• Strong sunlight
But often there is no obvious trigger for an outbreak.

18/03/2016

Cold Sores
When couples celebrate their undying love for each other it is a lovely gesture but can be a problem if you happen to have a cold sore. Cold sores are small blisters that develop on the lips and around the mouth. They usually cause tingling, itching or burning sensation.
They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are highly contagious. There may be no symptoms when you are first infected as the virus lies dormant in your nerves until it is triggered at a later date. This original or primary infection usually happens in early childhood for example when a child is kissed by a family member or friend with a cold sore.

10/03/2016

Alcohol Awareness: Quiz Answers
Q1 What is a unit of alcohol?
• 10ml of pure alcohol.

Q2 How much is that as a normal drink?
• Half a pint of normal strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits.

Q3 And what about wine?
• A small glass (125ml) is 1.5 units.

Q4 What are the recommended limits?
• Since Jan 8th 2016 The UK Chief Medical Officer has recommended that both men and women should drink NO MORE THAN 14 UNITS PER WEEK. It’s also best to spread your consumption evenly and not binge drink

Q5 What happens if you regularly drink more than this?
• Your health will be at risk.

Q6 Name 2 short term health risks
• Alcohol poisoning, injuries needing hospital treatment, violent behaviour, unprotected s*x, loss of possessions.

Q7 Name 2 long term health risks
• Heart disease, stroke, liver disease, liver and bowel cancer.

Q8 How could I tell if I was drinking too much alcohol?
• You feel you should cut down, other people criticise your drinking, you feel bad about your drinking, you need a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves.

Q9 At what level are you at risk of alcohol poisoning?
• If you have a normal tolerance and drink more than 12 units.

Q10 What is a drinking diary?
• is somewhere you can record on a daily basis how much you have drank, at what time and where.

Download the iPhone/iPad App: Sober House which is a free app where you can record your drinking.

04/03/2016

Alcohol Awareness: Quiz

1. What is a unit of alcohol?
2. How much is that as a normal drink?
3. And what about wine?
4. What are the recommended limits?
5. What happens if you regularly drink more than this?
6. Name 2 short term health risks
7. Name 2 long term health risks
8. How could I tell if I was drinking too much alcohol?
9. At what level are you at risk of alcohol poisoning?
10. What is a drinking diary?

25/02/2016

Alcohol Awareness: Getting help
If you are concerned about your (or someone else’s) drinking, a good first step is to visit your GP but you can also take the FAST (Fast alcohol screening test) on line or contact one of the charities:
•Alcohol concern – 0300012301110
•Alcoholics anonymous – 0845 769 7555
•Al-anon Family Groups – 0207 7403 0888

If you are aiming to moderate your drinking, you may be asked to keep a ‘drinking diary’. On a daily basis you would make a note of all the alcoholic drinks you have had, what time you had them, where you were and how many units you drank (if you are unsure you can use the NHS unit calculator).
If you would like to chat with our pharmacist about any of these issues please just ask.