YOUR MEDICAL SERVICES Practice
Cryotherapy
(Remove skin abnormalities safely)
Cryotherapy is a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells that require removal while preserving the surrounding skin from injury. Freezing may last from five to 20 seconds, depending on the size of the lesion.
Veruccas, Skin Tags, Molluscum Contagiosum are among the skin conditions that can be treated with Cryotherapy. There are several other condidiotns that can be effectively treated. Please enquire from your GP or Practice Nurse.
Influenza vaccination
Older people and people with chronic medical conditions are at greatest risk of getting the flu. Chronic medical conditions include chronic heart conditions, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus and those who have a low immune system. Influenza has more severe consequences in the elderly and people defined as being high risk. These groups of people are targeted for influenza vaccination.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent infection by flu and it is prepared every year using strains of the virus similar to those that are likely to be around in the next winter season. The vaccine protects you for about one year and should be taken annually in September/October to protect you for the coming winter season.
The flu vaccine can reduce infection caused by the illness and protect against associated illnesses. This can help you to avoid hospitalisation and in some cases it can even prevent death, as most deaths from flu occur in people aged over 65 years.
How to get vaccinated
The influenza vaccination is available from your doctor at Balbriggan Medical Centre. The HSE provide free vaccines to General Practitioners (GPs) for all persons over 65 years and those in the high risk groups outlined above. There is no charge for medical card holders.
A consultation fee will apply to patients that are not covered by a medical card.
Frequently asked questions
- Does flu vaccination give a high degree of protection? Yes
- Can the flu injection give a person the flu?No
- Can the flu cause serious illness, hospitalisation and death? Yes
- Will the flu injection protect a person from the common cold? No
- Should a person at risk be vaccinated every year?Yes
- Is Influenza highly infectious and does it spread rapidly? Yes
- Should carers of those at-risk enquire about vaccination for themselves? Yes
- If I am at-risk, should I talk to my doctor about getting vaccinated? Yes.
Influenza (Flu)
Flu is a highly infectious illness. A person carrying the virus can spread the illness by coughing or sneezing. A person can spread the virus from 1-2 days before they develop symptoms and for up to a week after symptoms develop. Influenza is characterised by sudden onset of symptoms, including a temperature of 38%C or more with a dry cough, headache, sore muscles and sore throat. The cough is often severe and continuous, but otherwise the disease doesn’t last for very long and for most people recovery is usually within 2-7 days. The most frequent complication from influenza is pneumonia, most commonly secondary bacterial pneumonia.
If influenza or influenza-like illness has been diagnosed, often the best treatment is to stay indoors, keep warm and drink plenty of liquids. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol may help relieve headache or muscle pains.
For more information on immunisation click on the National Immunisation Website www.immunisation.ie
WHOOPING COUGH VACCINE & PREGNANT WOMEN
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious illness that can be life threatening. The disease is most serious in babies less than 6 months of age – many babies are hospitalised with complications such as pneumonia and brain damage. Babies less than 6 months of age are too young to be fully vaccinated.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
Whooping cough causes long bouts of coughing and choking making it hard to breathe. The ‘whoop’ sound is caused by gasping for air between coughing spells. A child with whooping cough may turn blue from lack of air, or vomit after a coughing spell. Not all children get the ‘whoop’ and often older children and adults just have a cough. The disease can last up to three months. Infection with whooping cough does not give long lasting protection so re-infections can happen.
How does whooping cough spread?
Whooping cough is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Someone with whooping cough can spread the disease for up to three weeks after the start of the cough. Many babies who get whooping cough have been in contact with family members who have had a cough for longer than 2 weeks.
How common is whooping cough?
So far in 2012 there have been more than 400 cases of whooping cough – this is more than double the number of cases in 2011. Most cases have been in babies less than 6 months of age and sadly two babies died as a result of whooping cough in 2012.
Is whooping cough common in other countries?
Yes, other countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK and US are also seeing large scale outbreaks – the US has reported more than 38,000 cases with 16 deaths so far in 2012.
How can whooping cough be prevented?
THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT WHOOPING COUGH IS BY VACCINE
Why do pregnant women need to get whooping cough vaccine?
You should be given whooping cough vaccine to protect you and your baby from getting whooping cough. The vaccine helps your immune system to produce antibodies to the whooping cough bacteria. If you are in contact with whooping cough the antibodies will attack these bacteria and will protect you from whooping cough. These antibodies will also pass to your baby in your womb and protect them during the first few months of life.
What vaccine should pregnant women get?
You should get a Tdap vaccine. This is a low dose tetanus (T), diphtheria (d) and acellular pertussis (ap) booster vaccine which protests against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis).
When should I get the whooping cough vaccine?
The best time to get the whooping cough vaccine is between 28 – 32 weeks of your pregnancy. Giving the vaccine at this time will give your baby the best protection.
Is there anyone who cannot get the vaccine?
The vaccine should not be given to • those with a history of a severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction to a previous
dose of whooping cough vaccine or any part of the vaccine. It is not recommended: n the first 20 weeks of pregnancy • if there is a history of a severe local reaction to a previous dose. You should not get a tetanus or diphtheria containing vaccines more often than every 10 years if you have a severe local reaction.
When should vaccination be postponed?
There are very few reasons why vaccination should be postponed. Vaccination should be rescheduled if you have an acute illness with a temperature greater than 38°C.
What can I expect following vaccination?
You may get soreness or redness around the injection site. You may experience a mild generalised reaction of fever and fatigue for up to 48 hours after receiving the vaccine.
What if I don’t feel well after vaccination?
If you have a temperature after the vaccine, take paracetamol, as it is safe in pregnancy, and it’s important for you and your baby to avoid fever.
Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin (unless advised by your obstetrician). Remember if you are unwell after getting a vaccine, it could be for some other reasons – don’t assume it’s the vaccine and seek medical advice if needed.
How long does it take the vaccine to work?
The vaccine starts to work within two weeks.
Can I get the vaccine later in pregnancy?
Yes. Getting the vaccine in later pregnancy will give you and your baby some protection.
Can I get the vaccine after my baby is born?
Yes. You can get the vaccine in the first week after your baby is born. This will protect you from catching whooping cough and passing it on to your baby. However vaccination after your baby is born means you cannot pass the antibodies to them for protection in their first few months.
What about breast feeding?
The vaccine is safe to give if you are going to or are breast feeding.
My baby was premature so what can I do?
Babies born before 32 weeks will not be protected as they will not get enough antibodies from you while in the womb.
The best way to protect them is
- to make sure other children in the house are fully vaccinated.
- to make sure all adults in the house get a whooping cough vaccine if they haven’t had one in the last 10 years. Ideally they should get the vaccine 2
weeks before contact with the baby.
- to keep your baby away from anyone with a cough until they have had two of their routine vaccinations (at 4 months of age).
Can other adults reduce their risk of whooping cough?
Any adult who wishes to reduce their risk of infection to themselves or to young babies may get the vaccine.
I had whooping cough as a child so do I still need the whooping cough vaccine?
Yes the immunity from previous infection decreases over time so you should get the vaccine to protect you and your baby.
I had a recent tetanus booster. Can I have this vaccine now?
Yes no interval is required between Tdap and any previous tetanus vaccine.
Is it safe for pregnant women to be vaccinated?
Yes. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women. Whooping cough vaccine is recommended for pregnant women in the UK, US, New Zealand and Australia.
This whooping cough vaccine has been studied in pregnant women in the US and no risk as been found. Reactions are generally mild and serious side effects are very rare.
Can the vaccine give me whooping cough?
No. The vaccine cannot give you whooping cough because it does not contain any live viruses.
How do I get vaccinated?
Contact your GP at Balbriggan Medical Centre to arrange for vaccination.
You will be charged for the vaccine and its administration.
