NHS Lanarkshire issuing RSV vaccine appointments to eligible older adults
NHS Lanarkshire has started issuing appointments to older adults who are eligible for the RSV vaccine.
Appointments will continue to be issued over the next couple of weeks and pregnant women who are 28-week-plus are also eligible and can speak to their midwife to arrange to have their vaccine at their next ante-natal appointment.
RSV is a common respiratory illness which affects the lungs and airways.
It is more common from late autumn to early spring, but can happen throughout the year.
Dr Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire's executive medical director, said: "RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system.
"It generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite.
"Most people recover after two to three weeks, but RSV can cause severe illness in some people, including pneumonia (infection of the lungs), bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways of the lungs) and other life-threatening conditions, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
"The most vulnerable in Lanarkshire can now get protection by getting the RSV vaccine including all pregnant women.
"If a vaccinated person does get RSV, it should be less severe and the vaccine is effective against lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis)."
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
Health Rounds: RSV can boost seniors' heart risks
July 24 (Reuters) - (This is an excerpt of the Health Rounds newsletter, where we present latest medical studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here.) Older adults hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) face an elevated risk of developing heart failure and a dangerous heart rhythm problem, a Canadian study found. The risk for heart failure was seen even in individuals without a history of heart problems, researchers reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, opens new tab. The researchers reviewed data on more than 100,000 adults aged 65 and older hospitalized in Ontario between 2011 and 2020 for either RSV, influenza, urinary tract infection, or a fracture. The proportion of patients with a subsequent cardiovascular event was 18.5% after an RSV-related hospitalization, compared to 17.7%, 12.1% and 8.4% after hospitalizations for influenza, urinary tract infection, or fracture, respectively. In comparisons of patients who were closely matched according to demographics and risk factors, heart failure (10%–11%) was the most common outcome for RSV patients, occurring in 10% to 11%. Next most common was the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, occurring in 5% to 6% of RSV patients. The risk for those outcomes, as well as for heart attack, 'was at least two to three times higher in patients with a pre-existing cardiovascular condition compared to those without,' the researchers also said. 'Our findings reinforce the importance of RSV vaccination in older adults and suggest that monitoring for signs of heart disease following an RSV illness may be pragmatic,' study leader Chris Verschoor of Health Sciences North Research Institute in Sudbury, Ontario, said in a statement. Sending dye through the small intestine to look for blockages has been sparing a significant proportion of patients from needing to undergo surgery, a new study shows. The dye, Gastrografin from Bracco Diagnostics Inc., is administered to symptomatic patients before an X-ray or CT scan so that surgeons can see the location and severity of any so-called adhesive small bowel obstructions. Researchers reviewed nationwide data on more than 20,000 patients with suspected small bowel obstruction managed in two periods - 2012 to 2016, before Gastrografin was widely used for this purpose, and 2019 to 2023, when using Gastrografin to visualize intestinal blockages was a standard of care. They found nearly a 45% decrease in surgeries for small bowel obstruction in the Gastrografin era, from 13,257 to 7,333. Small bowel obstruction accounts for 15% of hospital admissions in the U.S., with about 20% of cases needing surgery to reconstruct the intestine, the researchers said. The resulting healthcare costs total over $3 billion each year. Despite better small bowel obstruction outcomes overall, post-surgery mortality increased from 4.4% to 5.9% after use of the dye became standard, and reoperations within 30 days rose from 4.7% to 6.2% - likely because surgeries were probably more complex in the later era, the researchers said. Gastrografin testing had weeded out patients with relatively mild obstructions who ultimately didn't need surgery, they added. 'Previously, patients who had a relatively mild adhesive small bowel obstruction would have been operated on, as we didn't have an alternative option,' study leader Dr. Robert McLoughlin from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington said in a statement. 'This meant that in the post-Gastrografin era, the surgeries were more complex and challenging, hence the increased morbidity and mortality.' Still, because surgeons have gotten better at managing patients after surgery for small bowel obstructions, patients in the Gastrografin group averaged 6 days in the hospital, versus about 10 days for patients treated before the Gastrografin era, the researchers reported in the Journal of Surgical Research, opens new tab. The current study was not designed to prove that any of the outcomes were the result of Gastrografin use, the article pointed out. McLoughlin recalled that during a discussion with a younger colleague about managing small bowel obstructions, he mentioned that when he was in training, surgeons operated 'on a lot more' of these patients. That recollection prompted the current study, he said. (To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here)
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Renfrewshire dentist named one of the best new practitioners
Cara Marcuccilli, who works at Scottish Dental Care's Bishopton Dental Clinic, was one of only 18 winners of the College of General Dentistry's CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees. As part of her prize, Cara was awarded a funded place on a two-day advanced composite bonding course at the College of General Dentistry's European Education Campus in Leuven, Belgium, valued at around £1,400. She said: "I feel incredibly grateful to be selected as one of the award winners. "The opportunity to take part in advanced training with peers from across Europe is a huge privilege. "I'm thankful to my patients, colleagues, and mentors who supported me throughout the casework process." Read more: RSV vaccine appointments now available across NHS Lanarkshire (Image: Supplied) The CGDent-GC Award is designed to inspire excellence among foundation dentists and promote high clinical standards across the profession. It is considered to be one of the most competitive honours available to new dental practitioners in the UK. Cara, who is completing her vocational training under the supervision of Craig MacDougall, impressed judges with a detailed restorative case. This case was praised for demonstrating technical skill as well as a strong focus on patient care. The judging panel assessed entries on patient oral health improvement, aesthetic standards, case complexity, and the quality of the entrant's personal reflection. Craig MacDougall said: "Cara has shown real dedication to both her patients and her development as a clinician. "This recognition is thoroughly deserved and reflects the high standards she set herself from day one. "It has been a pleasure to support her through her training year." Read more: Experts reveal exact number of steps to walk a day to protect against diseases Bishopton Dental Clinic is part of Scottish Dental Care, one of the fastest-growing dental groups in the country. Philip Friel, co-founder and director of dentistry, said: "It is hugely encouraging to see one of our early-career clinicians receive such a significant accolade. "Cara's success reinforces the value of a supportive environment and high-quality mentoring, and highlights how the next generation of dentists can thrive when given the tools to do so." Scottish Dental Care operates 22 clinics from Inverness to Dumfries, providing NHS and private dental care to more than 250,000 patients. The group invests in technology, facilities, and professional development for its teams, offering mentoring, competitive remuneration, and ongoing education.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Appointments for RSV vaccine issued by NHS Lanarkshire
Pregnant women who are 28 weeks or more are also eligible and can arrange their vaccinations during their next ante-natal appointment. RSV, a common respiratory illness affecting the lungs and airways, is more prevalent from late autumn to early spring but can occur at any time. Dr. Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire's executive medical director, emphasised the importance of the vaccine. Dr Deighan said: "RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. "It generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite. "Most people recover after two to three weeks, but RSV can cause severe illness in some people, including pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other life-threatening conditions, leading to complications and hospitalisation. "The most vulnerable in Lanarkshire can now get protection by getting the RSV vaccine, including all pregnant women. "If a vaccinated person does get RSV, it should be less severe, and the vaccine is effective against lower respiratory tract infections." The vaccine is routinely offered to those turning 75 years old between August 1 and July 31. This includes individuals whose 75th birthday falls on August 1, 2025, or July 31, 2026. Receiving the RSV vaccine is considered the most effective method to protect against infections caused by RSV.
