Legionnaires’ disease still rampant in the Scottish capital

The source of the recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Edinburgh has still yet to be identified, according to Scottish health officials. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal lung infection that is caused by very low levels of legionella bacteria within water sources like lakes and rivers. The bacteria can make its way into artificial water supply systems such as cooling towers, hot and cold water services and air conditioning systems. Places such as hospitals, hotels, office towers and other large buildings may be more susceptible to contamination of the bacteria as they typically have larger water supply systems where the bacteria can quickly multiply. However the lung infection is not contagious and can’t be transferred from one person to another.

The first obvious symptoms of the condition are very similar to the flu and include muscular pain and a high fever. Once the bacteria reach the lungs however, the sufferer will then develop a constant cough. The condition is three times more common in men compared to women, and it usually found to be more prevalent in those over 50 years old. It can be dangerous for those with pre-existing health problems and the elderly.

The recent outbreak in Scotland has seen 24 confirmed cases of the disease and 37 more are suspected.  A further 12 people have been admitted to intensive care in the Scottish capital. So far, there has been just the one death, with a 56 year old male unfortunately passing away whilst undergoing treatment for the disease.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon tried to stop any widespread panic and said, “The key message is that the risk to public health is low. Nevertheless, there are a significant number of cases. All appropriate action is being taken to minimize the risk of further infection.”

The investigation now is centred in an industrial area of the city and officials are focusing their efforts on 16 cooling towers located in the southwest of Edinburgh. The towers were chemically cleaned at the beginning of the week, in an operation than spanned two days. The source of the outbreak has yet to be pin-pointed though. Nicola Sturgeon has warned that it may never be possible to deduce the specific location the outbreak began from.

Levitra orodispersible approved for Scotlands NHS

A convenient new drug to help men overcome erectile dysfunction has been approved by Scotland’s medical watchdog.

An estimated 2.3 million men are believed to suffer from erectile dysfunction in the UK, however market research suggests that only one in 10 receive treatment for the condition.

Levitra orodispersible, which is said to be the first and only orodispersible tablet for impotence, dissolves on the tongue without the need for a glass of water.

The research showed that 40% of sufferers regard existing therapies as “inconvenient”.

The “melt-in-the-mouth” drug was approved by the European Commission in September 2010 and launched in the UK in March this year. It was approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) last week and will now be made available for use through NHS Scotland.

It is said to be more convenient than existing pills as it can be taken anywhere and the slim credit-card pack is more discreet than a usual pill-packet.

Manufacturers Bayer, who hope the drug will revolutionise treatment for men too embarrassed to seek help, say the formulation “de-medicalises” and helps to remove the stigma attached to impotence.

Each 10mg pack of Levitra orodispersible have anti-counterfeiting safety measures to prevent illegal internet websites selling fake versions.

Ian Russell, specialist practitioner in Andrology and Urology at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, said: “This is really good news for Scottish men. We have been waiting for Levitra orodispersible to be licensed for a while and are relieved that it has finally been approved.

“We feel that it will be particularly advantageous for the younger patients with diabetes and other medical conditions causing erectile dysfunction who will appreciate its advantages the most.”

STI numbers triple over 10 years ‎

Cases of sexually transmitted infections have tripled in a decade, according to new figures in Scotland. Increases were recorded in genital herpes, Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV across Scotland between 1999 and 2009.

The sharpest rise was in cases of genital Chlamydia which can lead to infertility. Reported diagnoses increased from 5,676 to 18,277, according to Scottish Government figures. The Conservative party, which obtained the details, said the increases paint a "hugely worrying picture" of sexual health.

Diagnoses of genital herpes increased from 933 to 2,627 over the decade, while cases of gonorrhoea increased from 538 to 1,021. Figures for infectious syphilis were not available for 1999 but showed an increase from four cases in 2000 to 189 in 2009. The number of HIV-infected people increased from 156 in 1999 to 360 in 2010. For the decade from 1999, the total number for all five infections went from 7,303 to 22,540.



For protection against sexually transmitted infections you must always where a condom. Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including discharge and genital ulcer diseases. For further information on where to buy condoms online please click the highlighted link.


Once you have caught an STI such as herpes wearing a condom alone will no long stop you from suffering from flare ups. Treatment is needed such as Valtrex when can stop the infection from appearing all together if taken correctly. For further information on where to buy Valtrex online please click the highlighted link.

The cost of prescribing Viagra on NHS has rocketed to £9million in Scotland.

Figures were released last week about the cost Viagra is having on the Scottish NHS, and since 2002 the NHS bill has increased a whopping 400%

 

Eight years ago only 15,000 got the sex-life boost at a cost of £2.3million. The bill now outstrips the £6million spent annually on penicillin.

One in ten men suffers impotence at some point in his life and Doctors are able to prescribe Viagra on the NHS to men if the suffer from Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, or if they a pelvic injury.

Scottish Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "Given the poor availability and access to new drugs for cancer and dementia patients, I think it is time the Scottish Government decided whether impotence drugs are of greater priority."