Healthy Living
RSV VACCINATION
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV infections usually get better by themselves, but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.
Who’s at risk from RSV
RSV infections are very common.
They’re not usually serious, but some adults have a higher risk of getting seriously ill, particularly:
- adults over 75 years
- adults with a weakened immune system, or long-term lung or heart conditions
- people who smoke tobacco
RSV can also cause a serious lung infection (pneumonia) in older adults.
RSV vaccination
You can get a free RSV vaccination on the NHS if:
- you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more – this will help protect your baby for the first few months after they’re born
- you’re aged 75 or over
- you live in a care home for older adults
The vaccine helps reduce the risk of RSV causing serious problems, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Symptoms of an RSV infection
Symptoms of an RSV infection usually start within a few days of getting infected.
Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:
- a runny or blocked nose
- a cough
- sneezing
- tiredness
- a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)
If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:
- a cough that gets worse
- shortness of breath
- faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
- difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
- noisy breathing (wheezing)
- confusion (in older adults)
FIREFIGHTERS AND ASBESTOS EXPOSURE (02/02)
Asbestos.com have recently published an educational page about Firefighter Health and Asbestos Safety and have offered us access to it. To open, click HERE.
APPROVAL VERY CLOSE FOR NEW ALZHEIMER’S TREATMENT (03/11/20)
The first drug to halt Alzheimer’s Disease could be offered to patients in Britain within a year. The drug is called aducanumab and it differs from other treatments now being given in that it doesn’t just mask symptoms but actually halts the progression of the disease by helping to untangle clumps of plaque in the brain. Trials have shown that patients given the new drug have benefited from improvement in language skills, slower memory loss and better awareness of time and place.
The drug has entered the final stage of testing before being licensed in the USA and it is hoped and expected that the approval of it for use in Europe can be fast tracked. There is a good chance that the drug will be available to patients in UK in less than a year.
BREAKTHROUGH DRUG TO TREAT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (11/08/20)
A new drug that is hoped can halt the development of Alzheimer’s disease is being fast tracked for approval. Researchers claim that if used on patients showing early signs of dementia the drug will slow or even halt the disease before incapacity results.
The name of the drug is aducanumab. Drugs currently given to Alzheimer patients merely mask symptoms but the new drug works in a very different way. It works by helping to untangle clumps of plaque in the brain. Charities supporting Alzheimer’s sufferers are expressing their delight at the news of this treatment breakthrough.
Samantha Benham-Hermetz, a senior executive for Alzheimer’s Research UK has said, “ People affected by Alzheimers have waited a long time for a life-changing treatment and today’s announcement offers hope that one could be in sight.”
ASBESTOSIS (03/10/17)
In another FRS area, a number of former firefighters have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses and some appear to be related to Asbestos. Alas, some consultants/doctors are not willing to put Asbestosis on sickness declarations and usually only declare the complaint to be Fibrosis or similar. Unless you get the consultant/doctor to change this to Asbestos you will not be successful with any claim for industrial injury. So PLEASE emphasise that you served in the FIRE SERVICE and the importance of their completion of the paperwork with Asbestos being the cause of your ailment.
SEPSIS KILLS MORE THAN 37,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR, IN THE UK ALONE (21/02/17)
SPOT IT – TREAT IT – BEAT IT
Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer and the British Heart Foundation is leading the fight against it. They were founded in 1961 by a group of medical professionals wanting to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory disease.
Change your life. Join Heart Matters.
Heart Matters is their free membership service. Whether you have been diagnosed with a heart condition or want to keep your heart healthy, joining Heart Matters is a great place to start.
Change your life now. Join Heart Matters for free support. To access, click on the following link.
https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/how-we-help/information/heart-matters.aspx
The number of older people in Wiltshire is growing. For many of us, later life can be an active and fulfilling experience. However, there are thousands of local older people and their families who contact Age UK Wiltshire each year for help. It may be for a bit of information and advice or for practical support at a time of real crisis. Age Concern can provide a wide range of information, advice and services. This includes an extensive selection of literature. These are a few examples:
To access the website, click on the following link:
https://www.ageukwiltshire.org.uk
Previous Articles
The following previously published articles are still available to view:
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) SCREENING
To open click here
AVOIDING SKIN CANCER
To open click here
SHINGLES VACCINATION
To open click here