As Summer season approaches, we stay up for travelling, taking holidays, attending occasions and having fun with extra time outside. There are some easy issues we are able to all do to remain protected all through summer season and to maintain sickness at bay as we benefit from the longer days and higher climate.
COVID-19
COVID-19 has not gone away, we’re all studying to stay with it. Fortunately the vaccine continues to be extremely efficient in stopping extreme sickness and antiviral remedies at the moment are out there for those who need them. Nonetheless in current weeks we have now seen a small, however regular enhance in circumstances. We are able to all comply with easy steps to assist defend ourselves, household and pals.
The perfect factor we are able to all do is be sure we’re updated with our vaccinations. These stay our greatest type of defence towards the virus. It’s not too late to catch up when you’ve missed boosters and even first doses.
You probably have any signs of a respiratory an infection and a excessive temperature or really feel unwell, attempt to keep at residence or away from others – particularly those that are aged or susceptible.
If you’re assembly others indoors you must let a lot of recent air in. Open some home windows to assist with air flow and within the sunny climate you may additionally plan to fulfill exterior.
We must always all proceed to apply good hand hygiene, continuously washing our arms for 20 seconds with scorching water and cleaning soap. It may also be a good suggestion to put on a face overlaying in a crowded house akin to public transport.
We must always all proceed to comply with probably the most up-to date steering which could be discovered here.
Heatwaves
The climate can have an effect on our well being, notably in those that are extra susceptible or have long-term well being circumstances. If scorching climate hits this summer season, you may assist defend your self and others by:
- Searching for individuals who could wrestle to maintain themselves cool and hydrated – older folks, these with underlying well being circumstances and those that stay alone are notably in danger
- Staying cool indoors – closing curtains on rooms that face the solar can preserve the temperature decrease in indoor areas
- Consuming loads of fluids and avoiding extra alcohol
- By no means go away anybody in a closed, parked car, particularly infants, younger youngsters or animals
- Attempt to preserve out of the solar between 11am to 3pm, when its strongest
- Strolling within the shade, making use of sunscreen commonly can defend your pores and skin, and it’s useful to put on a large brimmed hat whereas exterior on sunny days
Travelling overseas this yr?
When you’re planning to journey exterior the UK, test well being data to your vacation spot earlier than you go. You might want vaccines to guard you from critical illnesses present in some elements of the world and may additionally want treatment, for instance to guard you towards malaria.
Examine the recommendation to your vacation spot on TravelHealthPro and converse to your apply nurse, GP, pharmacist or a journey clinic ideally 4-6 weeks earlier than journey to get acceptable recommendation to your journey. They can provide you details about vaccinations and any additional precautions or treatment you would possibly want to take.
Make sure to check the COVID-19 rules and entry requirements for the nation you’re travelling to.
- Vaccines can stop a variety of completely different infections together with among the sicknesses unfold by meals and water and among the illnesses unfold by bugs, akin to yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis. Nonetheless, there are a variety of illnesses which aren’t vaccine preventable. Take fundamental precautions with meals and water and bug chew avoidance, carry a fundamental first assist equipment to handle widespread issues and know when to see medical assist
- Rabies is discovered all through the world and all animals can catch rabies and go it on. Keep away from contact with wild and home animals the place doable. If you’re bitten, scratched or licked on damaged pores and skin, instantly wash the world totally with cleaning soap and water, and search medical consideration regionally. You might be suggested to start out rabies post-exposure therapy, however at all times contact your GP on return to the UK to finish any therapy required. Additional details about rabies is out there on this leaflet for travellers. Examine whether or not you’re visiting a place where rabies is present in animals and take into account having a course of pre-exposure rabies vaccines if you’re endeavor actions which may put you at better threat of contact with animals or if you’re visiting distant areas the place medical care might not be available.
Learn extra about travel illnesses, vaccinations and travel health advice.
Immunisations
Checking you’re updated in your routine vaccinations together with MMR and MenACWY is essential and helps to maintain sicknesses from spreading. If you’re undecided which vaccines you’ve had, contact your GP surgical procedure and if you’re a father or mother or carer, you may look in your youngster’s purple e book (their well being file). For some vaccines it’s by no means too late to catch up. The checklist of routine NHS vaccines could be seen on the NHS website here.
It’s additionally not too late to have the COVID vaccine. It doesn’t matter which dose you’re due. Go to the NHS web site to search out your nearest vaccination centre or telephone 119
For extra recommendation on staying protected through the summer season, go to the NHS website.
Monkeypox
The outbreak of Monkeypox, largely affecting males who’re homosexual or bisexual, is rising within the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The an infection can unfold by shut bodily contact like skin-to-skin contact, kissing, intercourse or sharing issues like bedding and towels.
Some examples of the signs of Monkeypox contains current uncommon spots, ulcers or blisters in your physique, fever, complications, muscle aches, chills and exhaustion in addition to swollen glands.
Anybody can get Monkeypox, notably you probably have had shut contact, together with sexual contact, with a person with signs. Throughout a time when extra persons are mixing and spending time collectively, it’s essential to concentrate on the signs, notably you probably have just lately had a brand new sexual companion.
Contact a sexual well being clinic you probably have a rash with blisters and also you’ve been both:
- in shut contact, together with sexual contact, with somebody who has or may need Monkeypox (even when they’ve not been examined but) prior to now 3 weeks
- to West or Central Africa prior to now 3 weeks
Keep away from shut contact with others till you’ve got acquired medical recommendation.
Insect Bites
There are some easy precautions you may take to scale back your threat of being bitten or stung by bugs. It is notably essential to comply with this recommendation when you’ve had a foul response to an insect chew or sting prior to now otherwise you’re travelling to an space the place there is a threat of selecting up a critical sickness.
The next measures may help you keep away from insect bites and stings:
- Cowl uncovered pores and skin – when you’re exterior at a time of day when bugs are notably energetic, akin to dawn or sundown, sporting unfastened clothes and holding sneakers on may help you keep away from bites. Apply insect repellent to uncovered pores and skin – repellents that comprise 50% DEET (diethyltoluamide) are simplest.
- Be conscious that mosquitoes and horseflies are generally discovered close to water.
Ticks
Ticks are small spider-like creatures which might be primarily present in woodland, heathland and areas with lengthy grass, together with in city parks. They connect to your pores and skin, and chew to suck blood. Micro organism within the ticks can result in Lyme disease in some circumstances. Our blog has extra element.
You’ll be able to cut back your threat of being bitten by a tick when you:
- Preserve to footpaths and keep away from areas of lengthy grass when out strolling
- Put on acceptable clothes in tick-infested areas (a long-sleeved shirt and trousers)
- Examine your self for ticks when you’ve got walked in these habitats, and test once more on the finish of the day to take away any ticks
- Put on light-coloured materials which will provide help to spot a tick in your garments
- Use insect repellent on uncovered pores and skin
- Examine your pores and skin for ticks, notably on the finish of the day, together with in your legs, arms and groin space, and notably for kids, test across the head, neck and pores and skin folds (armpits, groin, and waistband) and test your youngsters and any pets. It’s essential you take away ticks as quickly as doable when you discover them in your pores and skin.
Watch our video on Lyme illness for extra data:
Meals
Summer season is a superb time to take pleasure in a BBQ with household and pals. Guaranteeing meat will not be left exterior of the fridge for lengthy intervals and is cooked totally may help stop meals poisoning. Handwashing earlier than making ready meals and after handing uncooked meat may help stop micro organism spreading too.
Be taught extra about BBQ meals security here.
