Skot Dispensing Chemists

01/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/FirstMediaBlossom/videos/10154204625789586

29/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 5

Quiz

Q1. What is pertussis?
Q2. What causes it?
Q3. What are the symptoms?
Q4. How long does whooping cough last?
Q5. How many cases of whooping cough were reported in the UK in 2024?
Q6. What is RSV?
Q7. How common is it?
Q8. Can it be dangerous?
Q9. How is RSV spread?
Q10. What are the symptoms?

25/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/FirstMediaBlossom/videos/10154882061094586/

22/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 4

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

There is no specific treatment for the RSV infection. It often gets better on its own in 1-2 weeks and you can usually look after yourself or your child at home. Children and adults who get a more serious infection may need to be treated in hospital. This may include being given fluids to avoid dehydration or oxygen to help you breathe.

The NHS has been rolling out a new vaccination for RSV to protect older people 75-79 and newborn babies all year round. Older people will need just one dose for protection that will last multiple years while women should get the vaccine every time they get pregnant to protect each baby.

Recent analysis suggests that with an uptake of 60%, the maternal programme could result in 70,000 fewer RSV illnesses in infants, 20,000 fewer GP consultations and avoid more than 200 infants being admitted to intensive care.

It also suggests that the first season of the older adult’s catch-up programme could prevent around 2,500 hospital admissions, 15,000 GP visits and 60,000 illnesses in adults.

18/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/FirstMediaBlossom/videos/234458279173173

15/07/2025

11/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2099788940506052

08/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 2

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Treatment for whooping cough depends on your age and how long you’ve had the infection. Hospital treatment is needed if you have severe whooping cough, or if your baby is under 6 months old and has whooping cough. If whooping cough is diagnosed within two weeks of your cough starting, you will be given antibiotics to help stop it spreading to others, but these may not reduce the symptoms. It is important to stay off school, work or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics or 2 weeks after your cough started if you’ve not had antibiotics.

The cough may last several weeks or months. A study of 5,222,860 people aged 50 and over between 2009 and 2018 found that there was an increase of direct medical costs of £318 with those diagnosed with pertussis compared to those who were not. This highlights the need for increased awareness of whooping cough infection in the older population.

04/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/reel/596352386845808

01/07/2025

Whooping Cough & RSV 1

Whooping cough (pertussis)

This is an infection of your lungs and breathing tubes caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It spreads very easily and can be serious. It is characterised by severe coughing fits, followed by a high pitched “whoop” sound during the subsequent intake of breath.

This disease although preventable by vaccination has been resurging in the UK in the last couple of years. There were 14,905 cases in the UK in 2024. The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, then after a week you or your child:

• Will get coughing bouts that last a few minutes and are worse at night.
• May make a “whoop” sound – a gasp for breath between breaths
• May have difficulty breathing after a bout and young infants may turn blue
• May bring up thick mucus, which can cause vomiting
• May become very red in the face (more common in adults)

24/06/2025

Health on Holiday 5

Quiz & Answers

Q1. Can I take medication in my hand luggage?
A1. Yes, as long as you have the proper paperwork.
Q2. Name two things you should keep in a medical kit.
A2. Travel sickness medicines, painkillers, plasters, anti-diarrhoea medicine, indigestion tablets, tweezers and scissors, insect bite cream, sterile gauze and bandage, after sun lotion, antihistamines.
Q3. How do you avoid creases when packing?
A3. Try rolling your clothes or use packing cubes and compression bags.
Q4. Why is it important that I keep hydrated?
A4. Keeping drinking is essential to keep your kidneys healthy.
Q5. What can I do to keep active while I'm on holiday?
A5. Try hiking, swimming or using the hotel’s gym.
Q6. How do I avoid putting on weight?
A6. Watch your portion sizes especially with creamy curries or buttery pastries and try to stick to lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains.
Q7. Why should I take rest periods when I am on holiday?
A7. A well-rested mind and body not only enhances the enjoyment of each moment but also plays a crucial role in shaping the creation of lasting memories.
Q8. What damage can the sun cause?
A8. Repeated sunburns, particularly in childhood and adolescence, greatly increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.
Q9. What percentage of people in the UK were sunburnt at least once during the heatwave of 2022?
A9. 40%.
Q10. What can I do to keep safe in the sun?
A10. Choose light fitting clothes in light colours, use sunglasses and wear a hat, liberally apply sunscreen above SPF of at least 30 and stay in the shade from noon to 3pm.