THE DOC REPLIES
I’M due to go to Morocco next month but have just found out I’m pregnant. Can I have travel vaccinations?
Most travel vaccines can be given when you are expecting. Going to Morocco, vaccinations you require include Hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. However, you might wish to consider if travelling is really necessary now you are pregnant. There are certain diseases which we cannot cover – such as mosquito-borne viruses. You may feel these are risks not worth taking if your travel is not absolutely essential.
MY GP referred me to a hearing specialist as I’ve lost a lot of my sound. Am I entitled to any benefits?
I am sorry that you appear to be developing some deafness. The NHS does provide hearing aids to assist with any hearing difficulties but you would not be entitled to any state benefits as a result of hearing loss. In exceptional circumstances you may be entitled to benefits from an employer if the deafness is a result of industrial exposure.
DO GPs have to tell my employer about my medical history? I’ve got a new job but I don’t want them to know I’ve had problems with my mental health in the past.
GPs will not share any medical information with your employer unless you have given consent which would normally be written and signed by yourself. Your employer shouldn’t have access to your medical history unless you choose to share it.
I have a friend from France who lets her child of 14 drink wine with dinner. It’s not to excess. Is this unsafe?
Cultural beliefs about alcohol seem to vary from country to country. Here in the UK we believe it is not safe to drink alcohol until a child is at least 15, and this should be rarely and never more than once a week. This is because the liver is immature and cannot metabolise the alcohol.
A builder recently told me my bedroom has dampness in the walls. I’m not in a position to pay for repairs at the moment. Is it likely to damage my health?
You describe dampness in the walls and I am unclear as to what the underlying cause of this might be. I assume it is there because of an underlying leak and moisture seepage, not just a building drying out. Unfortunately it may cause health problems. If you have damp or mould you are more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies and asthma. It would be good to fix this problem as soon as you are able.
WHAT is blood pressure and why is it important?
It’s a measure of the force your heart raises to pump blood around your body. BP is measured in millimetres of mercury and is given as two figures. Systolic pressure comes when your heart pushes blood out, while diastolic pressure is a result of your heart resting between beats. High blood pressure is above 140/90 or higher, although this may vary in certain conditions. High BP if left untreated can increase your risk of developing health conditions such as coronary heart disease and kidney disease. Low blood pressure can be a problem when the BP is below 90/60. It usually results as a side-effect of medication, but can occasionally be caused by heart failure or dehydration.
IS it safe to have spousal relations following a heart attack?
Yes. The recommendation is that you can have intercourse as soon as you feel ready and, for most people, this is around four to six weeks. Some people are concerned that the exercise may be too strenuous but there is no evidence that having intercourse increases your risk of having another heart attack. Once you have recovered, you are no more likely to trigger another heart attack by having sex than someone who has never had a heart attack.