Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it is sometimes called seasonal flu. It is a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A[…]
Read More »According the Gibraltar Public Health and Lifestyle Survey 2021, one in five adults currently smoke. Giving up smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health and it is never too late to quit. Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge – If you can make[…]
Read More »The second Wednesday in March marks No Smoking Day, an annual campaign that raises awareness about the health dangers associated with smoking, and the benefits of quitting smoking for good. Smoking is a leading factor in many causes of death and chronic disease, including cancer, respiratory and heart diseases. The[…]
Read More »The World Health Organization (WHO) European Region celebrates this week every year to raise awareness of the importance of immunisation in preventing diseases and protecting life. A key slogan being: Prevent. Protect. Immunize. Read more on local immuisation HERE and from the WHO HERE.
Read More »Studies show that all viruses mutate over time. When a virus replicates, it sometimes changes a little bit – these changes are called “mutations”. A virus with one or more new mutations is referred to as a “variant” of the original virus. What causes a virus to change to a[…]
Read More »With the Christmas and New Year holiday period fast approaching, Public Health Gibraltar re-enforces its advice on staying safe by: Maintaining hand and respiratory hygiene Wearing masks/face coverings as advised Avoiding crowded areas Maintaining recommended physical distancing guidelines As with all festive bank holidays, there will be a limited number[…]
Read More »On Thursday 30th January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern with millions around the world known to be affected. People of all ages can be infected with Covid-19; and for the majority of those infected, symptoms are[…]
Read More »*page updated April 2021 Over the last year, many people have spent a lot more time indoors than normal, especially those who have been shielding because of a health condition(s). Whilst most have begun a return to some sense of normality, it is still important to exercise caution. Many friends[…]
Read More »COVID-19 is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As is the case with many other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is believed to be transmitted from human-to-human by droplets, aerosols, and objects such as clothes, utensils and furniture (‘fomites’). The subject of infection transmission by viruses through droplets and[…]
Read More »Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses with very similar symptoms. However, they are caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses; there are two main types – Types A and Type B. These viruses are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year. Flu viruses can[…]
Read More »