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Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

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NHS Choices - Diagnosing bird flu

(31/01/2014)

To date there have been no cases of people with bird flu (avian flu) in the UK. However, plans are in place to manage any suspected cases that may arise.

Initial assessment

An initial assessment will be made over the phone, at a GP surgery, at home, or in a side room at a hospital.

Bird flu will be diagnosed based on your symptoms and the likelihood that you have been exposed to an infected bird. The doctor will ask you whether you have:

recently travelled to an area affected by bird flu and if you have been close (within one metre) to live or dead domestic fowl or wild birds, including those at bird markets
had close contact (touching or speaking distance) with anyone who has a severe respiratory illness
had contact with anyone who died unexpectedly and who was from an area that had an outbreak

Tests

If bird flu is suspected, the following tests will be carried out to establish whether you have the infection:

chest X-ray
nose and throat swab
blood tests
gram stain (a process that detects different bacteria)

If the laboratory tests and chest X-ray results are normal, it is unlikely that you have bird flu.

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Life Pharmacy Ireland – Live Better

Bringing you the best health advice for your family

NHS Choices - Diagnosing bird flu

Initial assessment

Tests