Showing posts with label Prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prevention. Show all posts

Yellow fever - Vaccination


Prevention
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Insect bites and stings





There are some simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten or stung by insects.
It is particularly important to follow this advice if you have had a bad reaction to an insect bite or sting in the past or you are travelling to an area where there is a risk of picking up a serious illness.
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Trichomoniasis - Prevention

Prevention-Trichomoniasis




If you've had trichomoniasis and it's been treated, you won't be immune to the infection and could get it again.
Like any sexually transmitted infection (STI), the best way to prevent trichomoniasis is to have safe sex. This means always using a condom.
The following measures will help protect you from trichomoniasis and most other STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea. They'll also help prevent you passing it on to your partner:
  • use condoms (male or female) every time you have vaginal or anal sex
  • if you have oral sex, cover the penis with a condom or the female genitals with a latex or polyurethane square (a dam)
  • if you're a woman and rub your vulva against your female partner's vulva, one of you should cover your genitals with a dam
  • avoid sharing sex toys – if you do share them, wash them or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them
If you're not sure how to use condoms correctly, you can read about how to use a condom.
If you've been diagnosed with trichomoniasis, make sure both you and your partner are treated, and that any sex toys you've used are cleaned.

Getting tested

If you're sexually active, go for regular sexual health check-ups. You can get an appointment by visiting your local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.
Find your local sexual health clinic.
If you notice any signs or symptoms of an STI, avoid having sex and visit your GP or GUM clinic as soon as possible.

Further help and advice

Call the National Sexual Health Helpline on 0300 123 7123 for confidential advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Toxocariasis - Prevention

Prevention-Toxocariasis




Practising good hygiene can help prevent toxocariasis.
Some things you can do are to:
  • wash your hands well with soap and warm water after handling pets or coming into contact with sand or soil
  • teach children to always wash their hands after playing with dogs or cats, after playing outdoors and before eating
  • wash food that may have come into contact with soil
  • try to avoid letting children play in areas where there's a lot of dog or cat faeces
  • teach children it's dangerous to eat dirt or soil
Read more information about food safety and how to prevent germs from spreading.

Advice for pet owners

Parents and children should be aware of the dangers associated with puppies, kittens, and older dogs and cats.
Many puppies are infested with the roundworm parasites from birth, as a pregnant dog can pass the parasites to her puppies before they're born.
All dogs and cats require regular de-worming with anti-worm medicine. See your vet for regular check-ups and specific advice on how to treat your pet.
The parasite eggs responsible for toxocariasis can survive for many months in sand or soil, so all pet faeces should be collected and disposed of in the rubbish.
There's no immediate danger from fresh faeces, as the eggs only become infectious after a few weeks.
Pets should be kept away from children's sandpits, which should be covered when not in use.
Your pet's living area should be cleaned at least once a week.
Some areas within public parks in the UK have been set aside as designated dog-exercise areas. Dog owners should ensure their dogs use these areas to minimise the risk of other park users getting toxocariasis.
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Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - Prevention

Prevention-Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)




The best way to help prevent a TIA is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and not smoking or drinking too much alcohol.
These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of problems such as atherosclerosis (where arteries become clogged by fatty substances), high blood pressure and high cholesterol level, all of which can lead to TIAs.
If you've already had a TIA, making these changes can help reduce your risk of having a full stroke or another TIA in the future.

Diet

An unhealthy diet can increase your chance of having a TIA or stroke because it may raise your blood pressure and cholesterol level.
A low-fat, high-fibre diet is usually recommended, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (5 portions a day) plus wholegrains.
Making sure you have a balanced diet is important. Do not eat too much of any single food, particularly processed foods and foods high in salt.
You should limit the amount of salt you eat to no more than 6g a day because too much salt will increase your blood pressure – 6g of salt is about 1 teaspoon.
Find out more about healthy eating and losing weight.

Exercise

Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight.
Regular exercise can also help to lower your cholesterol level and keep your blood pressure in a safe range.
For most people, at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week, plus strength exercises on 2 or more days each week is recommended.
Find out more about fitness.

Stop smoking

Smoking significantly increases your risk of having a TIA or stroke. This is because it narrows your arteries and makes your blood more likely to clot.
If you stop smoking, you can reduce your risk of having a TIA or stroke.
Not smoking will also improve your general health and reduce your risk of developing other serious conditions, such as lung cancer and heart disease.
The NHS Smoking Helpline can offer advice and support to help you quit smoking. Call 0300 123 1044, or visit NHS Smokefree.
Find out more about stopping smoking.

Cut down on alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), all of which can increase your risk of having a TIA or stroke.
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks:
  • men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
  • spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
  • if you want to cut down, have several drink-free days each week
14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.
Find out more about managing alcohol.

Managing underlying conditions

If you've been diagnosed with a condition that's known to increase your risk of TIAs and strokes – such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation or diabetes – it's important to control the condition.
These lifestyle changes can help control these conditions to a large degree, but you may also need to take regular medicine.
Find out more about:
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Tennis elbow - Prevention

Prevention-Tennis elbow




It is often difficult to prevent getting tennis elbow.
However, not putting strain on the tendons of your elbow will help you to avoid the condition or prevent your symptoms getting worse.

Self care advice

Listed below are some measures you can take to help prevent tennis elbow developing or recurring:
  • if you have tennis elbow, stop doing the activity that is causing pain, or find an alternative way of doing it that does not place stress on your tendons
  • avoid using your wrist and elbow more than the rest of your arm. Spread the load to the larger muscles of your shoulder and upper arm
  • if you play a sport that involves repetitive movements, such as tennis or squash, getting some coaching advice to help improve your technique may help you avoid getting tennis elbow
  • before playing a sport that involves repetitive arm movements, warm up properly and gently stretch your arm muscles to help avoid injury
  • use lightweight tools or racquets and enlarge their grip size to help you avoid putting excess strain on your tendons
  • wear a tennis elbow splint when you are using your arm, and take it off while you are resting or sleeping to help prevent further damage to your tendons. Ask your GP or physiotherapist for advice about the best type of brace or splint to use
  • increasing the strength of your forearm muscles can help prevent tennis elbow. A physiotherapist can advise you about exercises to build up your forearm muscles
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Stroke - Prevention

Prevention-Stroke




The best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of problems like:
If you have already had a stroke, making these changes can help reduce your risk of having another stroke in the future.

Diet

An unhealthy diet can increase your chances of having a stroke because it may lead to an increase in your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A low-fat, high-fibre diet is usually recommended, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (5 A Day) and wholegrains.
Ensuring a balance in your diet is important. Do not eat too much of any single food, particularly foods high in salt and processed foods.
You should limit the amount of salt you eat to no more than 6g (0.2oz) a day as too much salt will increase your blood pressure: 6g of salt is about 1 teaspoonful.
Read more about healthy eating and losing weight.

Exercise

Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight.
Regular exercise can also help lower your cholesterol and keep your blood pressure healthy.
For most people, at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week is recommended.
If you're recovering from a stroke, you should discuss possible exercise plans with the members of your rehabilitation team.
Regular exercise may not be possible in the first weeks or months after a stroke, but you should be able to begin exercising once your rehabilitation has progressed.

Stop smoking

Smoking significantly increases your risk of having a stroke. This is because it narrows your arteries and makes your blood more likely to clot.
You can reduce your risk of having a stroke by stopping smoking.
Not smoking will also improve your general health and reduce your risk of developing other serious conditions, such as lung cancer and heart disease.
The NHS Smoking Helpline can offer advice and encouragement to help you quit smoking. Call 0300 123 1044, or visit NHS Smokefree.

Cut down on alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and trigger an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), both of which can increase your risk of having a stroke.
Because alcoholic drinks are high in calories, they also cause weight gain. Heavy drinking multiplies the risk of stroke by more than 3 times.
If you choose to drink alcohol and have fully recovered, you should aim not to exceed the recommended limits:
  • men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
  • spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week
If you have not fully recovered from your stroke, you may find you have become particularly sensitive to alcohol and even the recommended safe limits may be too much for you. 

Managing underlying conditions

If you have been diagnosed with a condition known to increase your risk of stroke, ensuring the condition is well controlled is also important for helping prevent strokes.
The lifestyle changes mentioned above can help control these conditions to a large degree, but you may also need to take regular medication.
For more information, see:
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Roundworm - Prevention

Prevention-Roundworm




As well as treating roundworm infections with medication, the infection can be controlled by improving sanitation and health education.
Although treatments are usually effective, preventing roundworm infections that affect tropical countries is very challenging.

Infection control

Good hand hygiene can help prevent the spread of roundworm. Always wash your hands thoroughly:
  • after using the toilet
  • after changing a nappy
  • after touching soil
  • before preparing and eating food

Travel advice

You'll need to take extra precautions when travelling to parts of the world where roundworm is widespread, sanitation is poor and the climate is hot.
Places where roundworm is particularly widespread include:
  • Asia – particularly China, India and the large islands of East Asia, such as Indonesia
  • sub-Saharan Africa (all the countries south of the Sahara Desert) such as Kenya and Nigeria
  • South and Central America, and the Caribbean
  • the Middle East
If you're travelling to these parts of the world, you should:
  • only drink bottled or boiled water
  • avoid eating raw fruit or vegetables
  • wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with soil
  • eat hot food that's been cooked thoroughly
Read more about travel health and food and water abroad.
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Allergic rhinitis - Prevention

Prevention-Allergic rhinitis




The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen that causes it.
But this is not always easy. Allergens, such as dust mites, are not always easy to spot and can breed in even the cleanest house.
It can also be difficult to avoid coming into contact with pets, particularly if they belong to friends and family.
Below is some advice to help you avoid the most common allergens.

House dust mites

Dust mites are one of the biggest causes of allergies. They're microscopic insects that breed in household dust.
To help limit the number of mites in your house, you should:
  • consider buying allergy-proof covers for mattresses, duvets and pillows
  • choose wood or hard vinyl floor coverings instead of carpet
  • fit roller blinds that can be easily wiped clean
  • regularly clean cushions, soft toys, curtains and upholstered furniture, either by washing or vacuuming them
  • use synthetic pillows and acrylic duvets instead of woollen blankets or feather bedding
  • use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter – it can remove more dust than ordinary vacuum cleaners
  • use a clean damp cloth to wipe surfaces – dry dusting can spread allergens further
Concentrate your efforts on controlling dust mites in the areas of your home where you spend most time, such as the bedroom and living room.

Pets

It's not pet fur that causes an allergic reaction, but exposure to flakes of their dead skin, saliva and dried urine.
If you cannot permanently remove a pet from the house, you may find the following tips useful:
  • keep pets outside as much as possible or limit them to 1 room, preferably one without carpet
  • do not allow pets in bedrooms
  • wash pets at least once a fortnight
  • groom dogs regularly outside
  • regularly wash bedding and soft furnishings your pet has been on
If you're visiting a friend or relative with a pet, ask them not to dust or vacuum on the day you're visiting because it'll disturb allergens into the air.
Taking an antihistamine medicine 1 hour before you enter a house with a pet can help reduce your symptoms.

Pollen

Different plants and trees pollinate at different times of the year, so when you get allergic rhinitis will depend on what sort of pollens you're allergic to.
Most people are affected during the spring and summer months because this is when most trees and plants pollinate.
To avoid exposure to pollen, you may find the following tips useful:
  • check weather reports for the pollen count and stay indoors when it's high
  • avoid line-drying clothes and bedding when the pollen count is high
  • wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen
  • keep doors and windows shut during mid-morning and early evening, when there's most pollen in the air
  • shower, wash your hair and change your clothes after being outside
  • avoid grassy areas, such as parks and fields, when possible 
  • if you have a lawn, consider asking someone else to cut the grass for you

Mould spores

Moulds can grow on any decaying matter, both in and outside the house. The moulds themselves are not allergens, but the spores they release are.
Spores are released when there's a sudden rise in temperature in a moist environment, such as when central heating is turned on in a damp house or wet clothes are dried next to a fireplace.
To help prevent mould spores, you should:
  • keep your home dry and well ventilated
  • when showering or cooking, open windows but keep internal doors closed to prevent damp air spreading through the house, and use extractor fans
  • avoid drying clothes indoors, storing clothes in damp cupboards and packing clothes too tightly in wardrobes
  • deal with any damp and condensation in your home
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Rhesus disease - Prevention

Prevention-Rhesus disease




Rhesus disease can largely be prevented by having an injection of a medication called anti-D immunoglobulin.
This can help to avoid a process known as sensitisation, which is when a woman with RhD negative blood is exposed to RhD positive blood and develops an immune response to it. 
Blood is known as RhD positive when it has a molecule called the RhD antigen on the surface of the red blood cells.
Read more about the causes of rhesus disease.

Anti-D immunoglobulin

The anti-D immunoglobulin neutralises any RhD positive antigens that may have entered the mother's blood during pregnancy. If the antigens have been neutralised, the mother's blood won't produce antibodies.
You'll be offered anti-D immunoglobulin if it's thought there's a risk that RhD antigens from your baby have entered your blood – for example, if you experience any bleeding, if you have an invasive procedure (such as amniocentesis), or if you experience any abdominal injury.
Anti-D immunoglobulin is also administered routinely during the third trimester of your pregnancy if your blood type is RhD negative. This is because it's likely that small amounts of blood from your baby will pass into your blood during this time.
This routine administration of anti-D immunoglobulin is called routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, or RAADP (prophylaxis means a step taken to prevent something from happening).

Routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP)

There are currently two ways you can receive RAADP:
  • a 1-dose treatment: where you receive an injection of immunoglobulin at some point during weeks 28 to 30 of your pregnancy
  • a 2-dose treatment: where you receive 2 injections; one during the 28th week and the other during the 34th week of your pregnancy
There doesn't seem to be any difference in the effectiveness between the 1-dose or 2-dose treatments. Your local clinical commissioning group (CCG) may prefer to use a 1-dose treatment, because it can be more efficient in terms of resources and time.

When will RAADP be given?

RAADP is recommended for all pregnant RhD negative women who haven't been sensitised to the RhD antigen, even if you previously had an injection of anti-D immunoglobulin.
As RAADP doesn't offer lifelong protection against rhesus disease, it will be offered every time you become pregnant if you meet these criteria.
RAADP won't work if you've already been sensitised. In these cases, you'll be closely monitored so treatment can begin as soon as possible if problems develop.

Anti-D immunoglobulin after birth

After giving birth, a sample of your baby's blood will be taken from the umbilical cord. If you're RhD negative and your baby is RhD positive, and you haven't already been sensitised, you'll be offered an injection of anti-D immunoglobulin within 72 hours of giving birth.
The injection will destroy any RhD positive blood cells that may have crossed over into your bloodstream during the delivery. This means your blood won't have a chance to produce antibodies and will significantly decrease the risk of your next baby having rhesus disease.

Complications from anti-D immunoglobulin

Some women are known to develop a slight short-term allergic reaction to anti-D immunoglobulin, which can include a rash or flu-like symptoms.
Although the anti-D immunoglobulin, which is made from donor plasma, will be carefully screened, there's a very small risk that an infection could be transferred through the injection.
However, the evidence in support of RAADP shows that the benefits of preventing sensitisation far outweigh these small risks.
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