Information about Zika virus and advice on travelling to an affected area. Overview Zika virus disease is mainly spread by mosquitoes. For most people it’s a very mild infection and is not harmful. But it may be more serious for pregnant women, as there’s evidence it causes birth defects – in particular, abnormally small heads […]
Category: Health
YOUR PREGNANCY AND BABY GUIDE
All you need to know about pregnancy, birth and looking after a baby, including trying to get pregnant, foods to avoid, antenatal care, breastfeeding and bottle feeding Overview Am I pregnant? What should I be eating? Is it normal to be this tired? How can I help my partner during labour? Whatever you want to […]
YOUR GUIDE TO COSMETIC PROCEDURES
Your NHS Choices guide to cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. It includes information on risks, what to expect and what to do if something goes wrong, with links to other useful resources. Overview Are you thinking of having a cosmetic procedure? Whether you’re considering a less invasive procedure like Botox or full cosmetic surgery […]
YOUR CONTRACEPTION GUIDE
Find out about the different methods of contraception (to prevent pregnancy) available on the NHS, plus where to get them and how to decide which method suits you. Including emergency contraception (the morning after pill, and IUD). Overview WELCOME TO THE CONTRACEPTION GUIDE “Where can I get contraception?” “Which method of contraception suits me?” “I’m […]
YELLOW FEVER
Find out about yellow fever, including how it’s spread, where it’s found, what the symptoms are, how it’s treated, and the yellow fever vaccine. Overview Yellow fever is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It’s found in parts of Africa, South America, Central America and Trinidad in the Caribbean. There’s a vaccine that can stop […]
X-RAY
Read about how X-rays work, why they’re used, what happens before, during and after an X-ray, and what the risks are. Overview An X-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body. It’s a very effective way of looking at the bones and can be used […]
WORMS IN HUMANS
Most worm infections are not serious and can be easily treated with medicine. Find out what different types of worms look like, when to get medical help, and how to treat and prevent infections. Overview Some types of worms can infect people. Some can be caught in the UK and others are only caught abroad. […]
WHOOPING COUGH
Find out about the symptoms of whooping cough, who’s at risk, when to get medical advice, and how it’s treated. Overview Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily. The first signs of whooping cough are like a cold. After about a week, you or […]
WHIPLASH
Find out about whiplash, how it happens, what the symptoms are and how it can be treated. Overview Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden movement of the head. It usually gets better within 2 to 3 months. Whiplash most often happens after a traffic accident or a slip or fall. Common symptoms of […]
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE HAS A SEIZURE (FIT)
Find out what you can do to help if you see someone having a seizure or fit. Overview If you see someone having a seizure or fit, there are some simple things you can do to help. You should call 999 for an ambulance if you know it’s their first seizure or it’s lasting longer […]