Shingles is more common than many people realise. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), around 790 to 880 cases occur each year per 100,000 people aged 70 to 79 in England and Wales. While most people recover fully, the pain from a shingles rash can persist in some,
The HPV vaccine has dramatically changed how we prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. In England alone, around 76.7% of Year 10 girls had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine in the 2023-2024 academic year. Yet many adults still wonder if it’s too late to benefit.
If you’ve ever felt a sudden ache or blocked sensation in your ear, earwax build-up could be the reason. It’s a common issue — an estimated 2.3 million people in the UK need professional earwax removal each year, according to RNID. When earwax doesn’t clear on its own, it can
Meningitis is a serious infection affecting the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. In the UK, there were 396 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease in 2022-23 — including 33 deaths — underscoring that this condition remains a critical public health concern. What makes meningitis especially dangerous is
A sore throat is one of the most common complaints in primary care settings. According to research from the UK Health Security Agency, only about one in ten people with a sore throat seek medical consultation—but among those who do, over half receive an antibiotic prescription even though many sore
The chickenpox vaccine, also called the varicella vaccine or chickenpox jab, has become a key tool in preventing varicella infection. Over 90% of people over the age of 15 in England and Wales are already immune to chickenpox (seropositive for varicella-zoster immunoglobulin G). Yet despite widespread natural immunity, serious cases
Losing weight is challenging, and with rising obesity rates in the UK, choosing the right treatment is more important than ever. In 2023-24, 64.5% of adults in England were estimated to be either overweight or living with obesity — and 26.5% were living with obesity alone. Wegovy weight loss injections
Each autumn, millions of people across the UK receive their annual flu jab. It’s a vital step in preventing serious illness and reducing the spread of influenza. In fact, official data from the UK Health Security Agency estimates that last winter the flu vaccine prevented between 96,000 and 120,000 hospital
One in five adults in the UK now lives with either diabetes or pre-diabetes — that is over 12 million people. Managing type 2 diabetes often means tackling two challenges simultaneously: keeping blood sugar within safe limits and dealing with excess weight. Mounjaro injections are one of the newer treatments
Wegovy injections have quickly become one of the most talked-about treatments for weight loss in the UK. In the SELECT trial (Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People with Overweight or Obesity), involving over 17,600 adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease but no diabetes, Wegovy reduced the
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