Health BLOG | berkeley-pharmacy

Hay fever or coronavirus: How to tell the difference between allergies and Covid-19 symptoms

Since being placed in lockdown on 23 March, the UK has experienced a bout of blue skies and sunshine. While the nice weather is something to be enjoyed within the lockdown guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, this season may also see hay fever symptoms flare up among those with the condition. Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, chief pollen forecaster at the University of Worcester, told LBC that the nation is “experiencing a typical tree pollen season”. “The tree pollen season started on 5 April, as predicted, and we are seeing high counts already from the birch trees,” Dr Adams-Groom said. “It’s about 25 to 35 per cent of the population — about 18 million people in the UK — who are affected by

Coronavirus: A&E visits in England down to record low

A&E visits in England have halved since the coronavirus outbreak started, dropping to their lowest level since records began. Before the pandemic, more than 2.1m patients a month were visiting A&E. In April that dropped to 916,581. Everything from cancer care to routine surgery has been disrupted by coronavirus, although ministers have called for services to be restored. But re-starting NHS services could take many months, experts say. Three think tanks said reorganising care and the need for protective kit and extra cleaning meant it would take time before the NHS was back fully. NHE England data also shows urgent cancer referrals by GPs and routine operations have slowed. 'Come forward for

Coronavirus: UK drug trial for over-50s recruiting

A trial of potential coronavirus drugs aimed at over-50s, who are vulnerable to developing serious symptoms, is looking to recruit more UK volunteers. Over 500 GP surgeries are asking those with a new, continuous cough or high temperature to test existing drugs. Patients aged over 65 or over 50 with an underlying health condition can fill out an online questionnaire at home to see whether they can be included. Patients can also contact participating GPs to discuss their suitability. The trial, led by a team at Oxford University, will compare with the current best available care a number of low-risk treatments recommended by an expert panel advising the chief medical officer for England, incl

Coronavirus: Parents urged to keep up child vaccinations

NHS England says it is still offering essential vaccinations and is appealing to parents not to miss appointments for their children during the pandemic. The childhood immunisation programme protects against diseases including whooping cough, measles and meningitis. Visits to clinics and GP surgeries are allowed as long as none of the family is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19. Public Health Wales said this week that it had seen a small drop in routine vaccination numbers. Vaccinations routinely given in schools, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) jab offered to older children, are currently suspended - but may be available from individual clinics. "The national immunisation programme r