DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR

Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions

COULD IT STILL BE THE MENOPAUSE?

Q

I’m 65 and never needed anything for menopausal symptoms, but recently I’ve been suffering from a lot of joint pain and back pain. I’m also having night sweats. My GP doesn’t want to give me anything for menopause. Can you recommend something

I can buy for myself to ease these symptoms? A

To suddenly develop menopausal symptoms at the age of 65 would be unusual. So, while menopause can definitely cause joint and back pain and, of course, night sweats, I would want to look into other possible causes for your symptoms. Your GP could arrange some blood tests and perhaps X-rays to look into this for you.

SO CONFUSED BY TRAVEL VACCINES

Q

For his gap year, my son is planning to work in rural India. We are just looking into what jabs he should have before he goes. Looking online, there seems to be conflicting advice on whether he needs a tetanus vaccination. Please can you help? A

The tetanus vaccine is given as part of the NHS vaccination programme. If your son had his vaccines, he will have had five tetanus vaccinations in total, three as a baby, one as a pre-school booster and one at about 14. This course should provide long-lasting protection. If you are not sure if he had all the jabs, he can contact his surgery who will have a record. If he didn’t have his teenage booster, he should have one before he travels.