Archive

A Doctor-Professor answers the old question “What is the single best thing we can do for our health” in a completely new way. Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and […]

The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine provides protection against the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. The vaccine is currently only offered to people who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox. The vaccine does not contain thiomersal (mercury). Groups at risk from chickenpox: Chickenpox is a common […]

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point. It causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off. Some children have only a few spots, but in others they can cover the entire body. […]

Ensure your child is up to date with Immunisations:  Since the beginning of 2013 there have been large outbreaks of measles in Europe –  in Wales there have been over 1,300 cases and over 900 cases have been reported in Germany. In Ireland there have been over 30 cases of measles since the start of […]

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance found in your blood and in all your body’s cells. You need a certain amount of cholesterol for producing cell membranes and for producing hormones. However, too much cholesterol is a major risk for heart disease (which can lead to heart attack) and for stroke. Heart […]

BowelScreen is a new, government-funded screening programme which once established,  will offer a BowelScreen home test kit to women and men aged 60 to 69 every two years. Overtime the programme will be expanded until the full 55 to 74 age group is reached. To develop the capacity to cater for the full 55 to 74 age […]

Bowel cancer is also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer. It affects the lower part of the digestive system (gut). Bowel cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men and women in Ireland. Bowel cancer in Ireland In Ireland, bowel (or colon, rectal or colorectal) cancer is the second most common […]

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious diseases caused by viruses. They are spread by close contact with an infected person    Measles causes fever, cough, red and painful eyes, and a rash. Of the people who get measles: • 1 or 2 in 1000 will die; • 1 in 20 will get an ear infection; • 1 […]

Measles transmission in Ireland is currently at low levels. Six cases were reported so far this year, two of these were laboratory confirmed. As neither of these individuals had travelled overseas this means that measles transmission is occurring in Ireland. Parents going on holiday with their children should make sure that they are up to […]

Beneath is a link to an animation designed for use with health workers and the public, describing the health effects and risks of smoking and promoting smoking cessation. Smoking is a leading global cause of sickness, disability and death from cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease. Tobacco is the now world’s leading agent of […]