Minor Illness

Cold and Flu

Cold or flu?

Colds & flu

A factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of colds and the flu.

NHS Choices - is it the common cold or the flu?

Colds and flu can share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat) but are caused by different viruses, and flu can be much more serious. Find out more.


Seasonal flu vaccination

Iflujabsnfluenza (flu) is a highly infectious and potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses. Each year, the make-up of the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the influenza viruses that the World Health Organisation decide are most likely to be circulating in the coming winter.

Regular immunisation (vaccination) is given free of charge to the following at-risk people to protect them from seasonal flu:

  • people aged 65 or over
  • people with a serious medical condition
  • people who are pregnant
  • people living in a residential or nursing home
  • the main carers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer becomes ill
  • healthcare or social care professionals directly involved in patient care

Resources

Click on the following link for more information on flu immunisation, including background information on the vaccine and how you can get the jab: seasonal flu vaccine.

HPA - season flu guide

RCGP & RPS joint statement on flu vaccines

Seasonal flu guide


These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Back Pain

Back Pain

Resources

Back Pain
Factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment aand prevention of back pain.

NHS Choices
NHS information on back pain.


These links come from trusted resources, but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters, please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea

Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and affects almost everyone from time to time.

NHS Choices
Symptoms, causes, treatment and information.


These links come from trusted resources, but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters, please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

First Aid

ipodFirst Aid - MP3 Downloads

To save these files to your computer, right-click on any of the links below and then click 'Save Target As...". Click on any of the links below to play the audio files: 

Burns - Explains the immediate treatment for burns and scalds.

Fits  - How to deal with fits (convulsions/seizures) in adults and young children.

Wounds  - Immediate actions for wounds, bleeding, and bleeding associated with fractures.

Unconscious patient who is breathing - How to deal with an unrousable patient who IS breathing (includes recovery position).

CPR for adults - Adults who have collapsed, are unrousable and are NOT breathing.

CPR for babies - Babies who are unrousable and NOT breathing.

Collapsed patient in detail - Explains the complete scenario, including checks for breathing, circulation, etc.

These files have been prepared by Sussex Ambulance Service and comply with European Resuscitation Council Guidelines.


Other Links

British Red Cross - First Aid Tips

Simple, straightforward and easy-to-understand first aid tips.

BBC Health - First Aid

This site has information about how to react to common injuries and emergencies.

St Johns Ambulance

St John Ambulance believes that everyone should learn at least the basic first aid techniques.

Home First Aid Kit

All you need to know about preparing and storing your own first aid kit.


These links come from trusted resources, but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters, please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

 
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