The Boots Company have launched since last month Boots WebMD. This site has information and advice in relation to all your health needs. It provides comprehensive medical information enables us to present you with compelling, credible and up-to-date content on the latest health topics, news and research.

Information and also features material from well-known content providers like the British Medical Journal and NHS Choices.

WEB MD SYMPTOM CHECKER

Boots also provide a symptom checker. PLEASE PLEASE visit your G.P. as in some cases it might be a misdiagnosis from the WEB MD Checker!

If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, it’s always best to visit the doctor. However, sometimes you just want a little more information to prepare for your visit. Simply select your age range and gender, click on the relevant part of the body and then choose from a list of symptoms to get more detailed information.

So log on have fun and play around with it!

http://www.webmd.boots.com/

The Health Minister is urging pregnant women to avail of the swine flu vaccine following the latest deaths from the virus this week.

Some 45 pregnant women have been hospitalised to date with swine flu while one pregnant woman from the east died this week from the illness.

This is following an outbreak in Our Lady’s of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where there have been 21 confirmed cases of C-Diff.

The HSE are further investigating 5 cases of suspected deaths from C-Diff.

C-Diff is a Hospital Acquired Infection.

C-Diff Symptoms include:

Patients with mild C-Diff  may have:

• a low-grade fever,
• mild diarrhea  (5-10 watery stools a day),
• mild abdominal cramps and tenderness.

Patients with severe C-Diff  may have:

• a high fever (temperature of 102°F to 104°F),
• severe diarrhea (more than 10 watery stools a day) with blood, and
• severe abdominal pain and tenderness.

Severe diarrhea also can lead to dehydration and disturbances in the electrolytes (minerals) in the body. Rarely, severe colitis can lead to life-threatening complications such as megacolon (markedly dilated colon), peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal), and perforation of the colon.

On an article from the breakingnews.ie website it has been revealed that 
that the revenue from the price hike could then be put towards tackling the problem of tobacco smuggling.

The Society claims that one in five cigarettes smoked in Ireland are illegal.

Head of advocacy of  the Irish Cancer Society Kathleen O’ Meara says the Government have to take action to address the problem.

So for all the smokers out there do you think this is a good idea? Personally I think it will lead to more smuggling occurring. Also with the new budget looming on the horizon I think the drinkers and smokers will be affected again.

The figures coincide with the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week at college campuses across the country this week.

Peter Mannion, President of the Union of Students in Ireland, said it was important that students were aware of the help services available to them on campus.

Figures released from the HSE reveal that 28,000 people have got the vaccination last week in the HSE back-up clinics. Figures from G.P.’s have not been released yet but it is expected there was a high uptake of the vaccination. Figures will be realeased once obtained from the HSE.

For more information check out www.swineflu.ie

Currently Mr. Drumm is earning a salary of over €400,000. So while our health care system is falling to that of a standard of a third world country (and yes it is my friends and don’t tell me other wise) we have the Chief Director earning €400,000 plus. There are questions that do need to be asked. Nurses are being let go from work due to cut backs. Newly qualified nurses and health care professionals have been forced to pack their bags and move to the UK, Middle East, US and Australia against their own will. Some nurses I have spoken to have moved to countries like the UK and Australia and have left their husbands here in Ireland so “they can pay the bills”.

Services have been closed down also. It angered me to read in the Irish Times yesterday that the states main secure unit for highly disruptive children based in Ballydowd in West Dublin will be closed down. The 12 children will be sent to another unit based in the North of the City. After the release of a report from HIQA it was decided that this facility will no longer suit its purpose. This facility was built 9 years ago to the tune of €13million. It now has been deemed unsuitable and the children should be moved to a newer facility? This is bamboozling to the mind as one would think we could invest a few thousand euro and make the changes but no we will close the facility down and waste the money we invested.

That is just a little example of what is wrong I am only starting on this issue but if I was to take two examples as the two I have taken above and put them up on my blog every day for the next year we might have a little think about how effective the HSE is actually running and see if Mr. Drumm does deserve a total of €400,000.

As a saying goes “There are no problems- just solutions waiting to be found”

Swine Flu symptoms may include the following:

So far, most swine flu cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu. Only a small number of people have had more serious symptoms.

If you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms, you may have swine flu:

• unusual tiredness,
• headache,
• runny nose,
• sore throat,
• shortness of breath or cough,
• loss of appetite,
• aching muscles,
• diarrhoea or vomiting.

Checking symptoms

It makes sense to have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is one of the main symptoms.

If you are still concerned you may have swine flu, stay at home call your GP directly if:

• you have a serious existing illness that weakens your immune system, such as cancer,
• you are pregnant,
• you have a sick child under one,
• your condition suddenly gets much worse, or
• your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child).

For futher information call your local GP alternatively check the HSE’s website:

www.swineflu.ie

Remember: Catch it, Bin it, Kill it!