Real-life issues and medical advice

Our expert answers your medical questions

I have had a Covid-19 vaccine. Does this mean I cannot spread the disease?

The Siren Study by Public Health England looked at health staff given the Pfizer Biontech vaccine and found that the number of people who had Covid infection, with or without symptoms, fell by 70% after one vaccine and by 85% after two vaccines. Another study from Cambridge looked at hospital staff 12-plus days after the Pfizer vaccine was given and found a 75% reduction in asymptomatic infections in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated staff. Figures showed 0.8% of tests from unvaccinated workers were positive compared to only 0.2% of those who were vaccinated. Other studies have also found similar benefits with the Astrazeneca vaccine. We knew from the studies already that vaccines prevented people falling sick. But we didn’t know to what extent it would protect people from becoming infected. It looks like the vaccine will also mean less spread of the virus. However, going from 0.8 % to 0.2% is not going to zero and the vaccine doesn’t work straight away. With a large number of daily cases we still need to wear masks, socially distance and wash our hands frequently.

Are herbal remedies an effective treatment for constipation?

Knowing why you are constipated is important. Lifestyle changes could make a difference. Are you keeping a regular sleep routine, getting plenty of exercise, staying well hydrated, and eating enough dietary fibre? If you are, your next step is to speak to a pharmacist. Senna is a drug used to treat constipation and is found in rhubarb. A lot of drugs are derived from plants and herbs; just because it is herbal, doesn’t mean it is not a drug. Some herbal remedies – like St John’s Wort - can interact with existing medication so check with your pharmacist before taking them.

What causes warts?

Warts and verrucas are caused by a virus. They won’t do any harm and do eventually disappear. If you have a wart or verruca you should cover it if you are swimming. Because warts are contagious they also should not be picked or scratched.

The Doc Replies

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