Our resident GP Dr Chris Steele shares all the latest news from the medical world.

Double Flue Whammy At Christmas
Daily Telegraph – Monday 9 November

Britain faces an influenza crisis during the festive period with swine flu adding to the expected seasonal swathes of the influeneza virus. The NHS has been told to prepare for its busiest ever winter.

GPS Told TO Stop Giving Antibiotics For Minor Aliments
Telegraph – Monday 9 November
Doctors are reportedly to be told to stop prescribing antibiotics for minor ailments like coughs and colds as its contributing to the spread of hospital bugs as viruses mutate.

Scurvy On Rise Among Children
Mail – Saturday
The disease is making a comeback, the number of children admitted to hospital with it rose 50% over the last three years from 61 to 94. Scurvy is caused by a vitamin C deficiency and leads to spots on the skin, cracking lips internal haemorrhaging, leading to death if untreated.

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