Symptoms include: a new continuous cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell and a high temperature. If you experience any of these symptoms, self isolate for 14 days and if the symptoms have not cleared, go to NHS 111 online and they will direct you from there. You do not need to speak to NHS 111 to self isolate and you can contact 119 for a home testing kit.

To help protect those around you, there are extra precautions that should taking such as only going out when absolutely necessary, when sneezing or coughing use tissue and throw away immediately, avoid touching face mainly eyes, nose and mouth, wearing a face mask when if you need to go out, clean surfaces that have been used and work from home if possible.

For more information related to Corona virus visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

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66% of women with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) think they have thrush.

1 in 3 women will suffer from BV at some point in their lives. BV can be confusing. It comes with hallmarks of a yeast infection- so it’s understandable why so many women can mistake BV for thrush. Ask the pharmacy team for our discreet symptom checker. We’ll help you identify if you may have BV or thrush, and what you can do to treat it without a prescription.

BV is a naturally occurring problem, typically caused by an increased vaginal pH and a disruption of vaginal flora. These changes create an environment which favours the growth of abnormal bacteria.

Many people with BV don’t actually have any symptoms, but you should look out for:

• A fishy odour
• Thin, watery, possibly greyish-white discharge or abnormally large amount of discharge
• Occasional discomfort.

Keep in mind that BV:

• Is not cause by poor hygiene
• is not an STI
• can still occur even if a woman has never had sexual intercourse
• can only be treated with the right diagnosis.

The post Women’s Health appeared first on Nha Pharmacy.

 This campaign highlights that a stroke is a medical emergency and the public are urged to take the below symptoms seriously and call 999 immediately if they notice any single one of them in themselves or others.

The FAST acronym has featured in the advertising for a number of years and is a simple test to help people identify stroke symptoms:

Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?

Speech – is their speech slurred?

Time– to call 999 if you see any one of these signs.

Other stroke symptoms people should be aware of include:

•Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes

•Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body

•Sudden memory loss or confusion

•Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other symptoms

 Stroke is a medical emergency. The public is being urged to take the above symptoms seriously and call 999 without delay if they notice any one of them in themselves or others, even if they are unsure. One of the main objectives of the campaign is get people who witness somebody showing stroke symptoms to overcome their initial reluctance to call. They are being asked to ‘Make the Call. Dial 999’ even if they are not sure that it is a stroke. The primary audience for the campaign is people aged 50 and over, as this age group are more likely to experience a stroke.

Even if you are not sure, Act FAST, make the call, dial 999.

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Sun produces UV rays which are divided into 3 different types of UV rays which are UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVB radiation produces vitamin D in the skin which is important for healthy bones. In the UK we get most of our vitamin D from sunlight exposure from around late March/early April to the end of September.

We need 10 to 30 minutes in a day several times a day. Exposure to sunlight for too long can cause sunburn.

Calcium and phosphate are important minerals for healthy bones, teeth and muscles and vitamin D helps us absorb these minerals from our diet.

Vitamin D deficiency (lack of vitamin D) can cause bones to become soft and weak, which can lead to bone deformities. For example, in children a lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets. In adults, it can lead to osteomalacia, which causes bone pain and tenderness.

Your body can’t make vitamin D if you’re sitting indoors by a sunny window because UVB rays can’t get through the glass also Using sunbeds isn’t a recommended way of making vitamin D.

Sources of vitamin D other than sunlight:

• Oily fish like salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines
• Red meat, beef liver
• Eggs (egg yolk)
• Mushrooms
• Infant formula milk
• Some breakfast cereals
• dietary supplements
• Some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, cow’s milk and cereals
• Shrimp, oysters.

There are 2 types of vitamin D, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) – is synthesized by plants and is not produced by the human body

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – which is made in large quantities in the skin when sunlight strikes bare skin. It can also be ingested from animal sources. It’s lipid soluble, stored by adipocyte cells and has half-life of up to two months.

Factors to consider:

• You make the most vitamin D when you expose a large area of your skin, such as your back, rather than a small area such as your face or arms.
• How old you are. As you get older, your skin has a harder time producing vitamin D.
• Whether you’re wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen blocks a lot of vitamin D production.
• The altitude you’re at. The sun is more intense on top of a mountain than at the beach. This means you make more vitamin D the higher up you are (at higher altitudes).
• Whether it is cloudy. Less UVB reaches your skin on a cloudy day and your skin makes less vitamin D.
• Air pollution. Polluted air soaks up UVB or reflects it back into space. This means that if you live somewhere where there is lots of pollution, your skin makes less vitamin D.

After you have exposed your skin for half the time it takes for you to begin to burn, cover up with clothing and go into the shade. Using sunscreen is not as recommended as using shade and clothing to protect your skin, because it hasn’t consistently been shown to prevent all types of skin cancers.

If you want to you can use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA light and UVB light.

Amount Vitamin D for:

• Age 1-70: 600 IU
• Age 71 and older: 800 IU

The post Vitamin D deficiency appeared first on Nha Pharmacy.

Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses (small air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead) to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.

The three types of pollen are:

• tree pollen, released during spring
• grass pollen, released during the end of spring and beginning of summer
• weed pollen, released late autumn

Allergy to pollen causes seasonal allergic rhinitis also known as hay fever which is a common allergic condition.

Symptoms to hay fever are:

• sneezing and coughing
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red or watery eyes
• itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears

Some people also react to pollen landing on their skin, they get hives or rashes in case of localised itching. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hay fever, but you can relieve symptoms to a certain extent.

Things you can do:

• put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
• wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
• shower and change your clothes after you’ve been outside to wash pollen off
• stay indoors whenever possible and keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
• vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
• buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter

What not to do:

• do not cut grass or walk on grass or spend too much time outside
• do not keep fresh flowers in the house
• do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse
• do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen
• do not let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors

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1. How many 5-year olds have tooth decay?
2. How many children between 2-19 were admitted to hospital for tooth extractions in 2014/2015?
3. How much does the NHS in England spend on dental treatment per year for all primary and secondary school children?
4. What are the top three interventions for preventing tooth decay?
5. What is the average cost of a tooth extraction in hospital for under 5-year olds?
6. Name two causes of a tooth extraction in hospital for under 5-year olds?
7. How much of our daily intake of food and drink should come from free sugars?
8. How much are children and adults currently consuming?
9. How much of the free sugars currently consumed by 11 to 18-year olds come from soft drinks?
10. What percentage of 5-year olds in England have decay on their front teeth?

Facts about child oral health in England

Although oral health is improving in England, 24.7% of 5-year olds have tooth decay. Each child with tooth decay will have on average 3 to 4 teeth affected. 5.6% of 5-year olds had tooth decay in their front teeth in 2015. This is associated with long term bottle use of sugar sweetened drinks. Tooth decay was the most common reason for hospital admission for children aged 5-9 years in 2012 to 2013. Over 63,000 children between 2 to 19 years were admitted to hospital for tooth extractions in 2014/2015. It costs on average £836 for a tooth extraction in hospital for a child under 5. In 2015 20% of 5 – year olds in South East England had tooth decay compared to 34% in North West England. Research about extractions in North West hospitals found that 26% had missed days from school because of dental pain with an average of 3 days absence.

Consequences of poor oral health

Poor oral health suggests wider health and social care issues such as poor nutrition, obesity the need for parenting support and in some instances safeguarding and neglect. Parents of children who need treatment may have to take time off work to take their children to the dentist. Dental treatment is a significant cost with NHS in England spending £3.4 billion per year on all ages primary and secondary dental care as well as an estimated additional £2.3billion on private dental care.

Risk factors

Poor oral health can be caused by many factors including:

• Social inequalities where difficulties in income, education, employment and neighbourhoods affect a child’s development
• Poor nutrition and infant feeding with high and frequent eating of free sugars
• Lack of access to fluoride including late beginning or frequent brushing with low or no fluoride toothpaste.

Regularly eating foods and drinks which have lots of free sugars increase your child’s risk of obesity and tooth decay. Ideally no more than 5% of the energy your child eats should come from free sugars. Currently children and adults across the UK are taking in about 2-3 times that amount.

Sugary drinks should not be part of your child’s diet, but they account for a large proportion of the daily intake of both children and adults. Almost one third of the free sugars consumed by 11 to 18 – year olds come from soft drinks.

Top 3 ways for preventing tooth decay

The best ways to stop tooth decay are:

1. To reduce the amount of foods and drink with sugar in them that your child takes in.
2. Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (1350 – 1500 pm) last thing at night and at least one other time during the day. After brushing get them to spit and not rinse because the fluoride won’t work as well.For under 3 – year olds you should use a smear of toothpaste, while a 3 to 6-year-old should use a pea sized amount and parents and carers should brush or supervise tooth brushing until their child is at least 7. Make sure they brush the back of their teeth as well as the front and their gums.3. Take your child to dentist as first tooth erupts, at about 6 months and then on regular basis. This is so that they become familiar with the environment and get to know your dentist. When visiting the dentist be positive and make the trip fun.

For under 3 – year olds you should use a smear of toothpaste, while a 3 to 6-year-old should use a pea sized amount and parents and carers should brush or supervise tooth brushing until their child is at least 7. Make sure they brush the back of their teeth as well as the front and their gums.

Fluoride varnish and fissure sealants

A fluoride varnish containing high levels of fluoride can be painted on to both baby and adult teeth every 6 months to strengthen their tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. From the age of 3 children should be offered fluoride varnish at least twice a year with younger children being offered if your dentist thinks they need it.

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There are 3 types of UV rays:
UVC Rays – Shortest waves do not penetrate the ozone layer or affect skin
UVB Rays – Longer waves that affect the epidermis, the top layer of skin and can cause sunburn
UVA Rays – Longest waves that affect the dermis, the deeper layer of skin, and cause photo ageing
and skin cancer.

Sunburn causes the skin to become red, sore, warm, tender and occasionally itchy for about a week, sunburn can increase your chances of developing serious health problems, such as skin cancer, in later life so it’s important to   try to avoid it.

What to do if you’re sunburnt:
• Cool the skin by sponging it with cold water or by having a cold bath or shower – applying a cold compress such as a cold flannel to the affected area may also help.
• Drink plenty of fluids to cool you down and prevent dehydration.
• Apply a water-based emollient or petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) to keep your skin cool and moist.
• Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve any pain.

Things to avoid if sunburnt:

• Wearing tight clothes – they can lea d to more intense swelling and blisters
• Using scented aloe, alcohol based creams and chemical based sunscreen- can irritate skin even more
• Not hydrating
• covering it up with makeup –can increase your risk for infection or allergic reaction
• Not taking anti-inflammatory medication right away

You are at risk of sun burn if you:

• have pale, white or light brown skin
• have freckles or red or fair hair
• tend to burn rather than tan
• have many moles
• have skin problems relating to a medical condition
• are only exposed to intense sun occasionally – for example, while on holiday
• are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense
• have a family history of skin cancer.

To avoid sunburn skin should be protected from strong sunlight by covering up with suitable clothing, seeking shade and applying sunscreen.
In the UK, the risk of getting sunburnt is highest from March to October, particularly from 11am to 3pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest so avoid staying out in these hours for long periods of time.
One of the benefits of exposure to sunlight is formation of vitamin D in the skin which plays an important role in many functions of our body.The recommended amount of sunlight exposure is 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week while people with darker skin may need a little more than this.

The post Being Sun Safe appeared first on Nha Pharmacy.

Missing out on sleep can make us feel low. If you need to claim back some zzz’s, we’re here to help. The Every Mind Matters online guide provides tips and advice on sleep problems, stress and other common mental health challenges #everymindmatters bit.ly/2RhpKrs

Poor sleep can make us feel low and irritable. The Every Mind Matters online guide provides expert advice and tips to help you start taking care of your mental health. Create your own action plan now.

It’s normal to feel stressed now and then. But if it never ends, it can make us feel unable to cope. The Every Mind Matters guide is full of tips to help you combat stress and start taking care of your mental health. #everymindmatters bit.ly/2RhpKrs

We all lead busy lives and things can get on top of us. Thankfully there are lots of ways to combat stress. Visit the Every Mind Matters guide to create your action plan now

Most of us will feel sad, angry or down now and then. If you’re finding it hard to shift negative feelings, visit our Every Mind Matters guide to see some ideas for things you can do to boost your mood. #everymindmatters bit.ly/2RhpKrs

Many of us can feel sad and unmotivated. Thankfully there are things we can do to change our perspective. Visit the Every Mind Matters guide to create your action plan now.

We all have days where we feel worried or anxious but sometimes anxiety can start to get in the way of normal life. Visit Every Mind Matters bit.ly/2RhpKrs for coping ideas to get you back to your usual self. #everymindmatters

We all have days where we feel worried or anxious, but sometimes anxiety gets in the way of normal life. Thankfully there are ways to cope. Visit the Every Mind Matters guide to create your action plan now.

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pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, who can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines to effectively and safely manage a range of minor health concerns, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy troubles, aches and pains and many more.

As part of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ initiative, the campaign will highlight that local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient clinical service for minor health concerns with no appointment needed and use of a private consultation room should it be required.

And if symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need immediately and can refer patients to a GP or A&E where necessary.

Community pharmacies in England provide a service to around 1.2 million people every day.

The campaign launch follows the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan which called for greater use of community pharmacists’ skills. Every pharmacist trains for five years in the use of medicines before they qualify and they are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.

Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – speak to your local pharmacy team to get advice right there and then.

Help us, help you, before it gets worse. Visit nhs.uk/pharmacyadvice for more information.

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