NHS 24: Treating Norovirus

🤢💩 Caught norovirus? – here’s our quick guide on what to do to help you feel better and prevent it from spreading to others:

TREATING NOROVIRUS

🔹 take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains

🔹 get plenty of rest

🔹 use special rehydration drinks if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine. These are available in community pharmacies

Norovirus can be very unpleasant but usually clears up by itself in a few days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

⚠️Avoid going to your GP, as norovirus can spread to others very easily.

📱Phone your GP practice or NHS 24 on 111 if you’re concerned or need advice.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD

🔹 stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the norovirus symptoms have stopped

🔹 avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time

🔹 wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water particularly after using the toilet and before preparing or handling food

🔹 be aware alcohol-based hand gels don’t kill the virus

🔹 disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner.

🔹 wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash (60°C)

🔹 do not share towels and flannels

🔹 flush any poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area with a bleach-based household cleaner

🔹 avoid eating raw, unwashed food

🔹 only eat oysters from a reliable source as they can carry norovirus

Remember norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

Follow our hygiene tips above to prevent the virus from spreading further!

NHS 24: Student Health Support

🧠💬 Feeling overwhelmed? Starting college or uni can be both exciting and stressful. Remember you don’t have to face any worries alone – help is available.

Here’s what you need to know:

🏫 On Campus Support – Many unis or colleges offer in-house mental health services. Search the ‘Think Positive Hub’ to see what’s available near you.

🌐 NHS inform – Explore guides and resources:

Mental health guides to help issues such as anxiety, phobias, and sleep problems.

Tips on boosting your mental wellbeing

Info on where to find the right support

Free mental health apps to help with sleep, stress, and anxiety.

📞 Need to talk? Reach out to Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or webchat. Experienced advisors are available to listen and offer information and advice.

Open weekdays 6pm–2am & weekends 6pm Fri–6am Mon

🚨 Urgent help?

Contact your GP to access urgent mental health support. If the GP is closed, NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub is available on 111. Specially trained advisers are ready to help and connect you with the right support.

Need more info? Check out our student health tips at #NHSinform.

NHS 24: Right Care, Right Place

🤔Confused about where to go when you or a loved one needs medical help?

It can be tricky to know where to get advice when you are ill or in pain, and choosing the wrong service can mean longer waits, more stress, and extra pressure on OUR NHS.

✅ Our #RightCareRightPlace guide can help you make the right choice, quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

📲 Share our #RightCareRightPlace guide with your friends, family, and community.

NHS 24: Medicine Run Out?

💊Find where you can get more medication when your medicine supplies have run out.

NHS inform’s accessing medicines self-help guide will help to decide whether you need to contact your GP practice or pharmacy for more medication. The guide can be used for information about prescription and non-prescription medication.

https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines

NHS Lothian: Right Care, right place

If you suddenly need urgent medical care, please contact NHS 24 on 111

If it’s a critical emergency, always call 999.

#RightCareRightPlace

🤔

Confused about where to go when you or a loved one needs medical help?

It can be tricky to know where to get advice when you are ill or in pain, and choosing the wrong service can mean longer waits, more stress, and extra pressure on our NHS.

✅

 Our #RightCareRightPlace guide can help you make the right choice, quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

📲

 Share our #RightCareRightPlace guide with your friends, family, and community.

NHS 24: Sun Safety Tips

It’s set to be a scorcher over much of Scotland this weekend 🥵 If you’re planning to be outdoors follow our sun safety tips:

☀️ Taps aff? Slap the sun cream on!

Don’t be stingy, slather on a minimum of SPF 30 (but SPF 50 is even better!) over any exposed skin.

💧 Hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE!

Don’t wait till your gaspin’. Drink regularly throughout the day – water and diluted juice are good choices, but ice poles and ice lollies count too. It might be tempting to crack out the beers when it is hot, but remember alcohol is a diuretic meaning it can cause dehydration. Alternate any alcoholic drinks with water or just juice.

🌡️ Hide during the hottest temperatures

The sun is at it’s sassiest between 11am and 3pm and UV levels are at their highest. Try to keep in the shade as much as possible during these times.

👒 Cover up those pasty bits!

You might want to shed some clothing when it’s roastin’, but your skin will thank you if it’s kept covered up. Think loose, cool fabrics like cotton, your fave pair of sunnies 🕶️, and a big hat to keep the lugs, face and neck protected.

🍼 Mind those that need some extra help

Wee tots shouldn’t be in any direct sunlight for any length of time. Babies and bairns can get overheated quickly, so keep a close eye and make sure they are dressed properly for the hot weather.

Keep a check on the auld yins and anyone who has a long-term medical condition too

For more guidance and advice on how to stay safe in hot weather check out our page on #NHSinform

NHS 24: Summer Holiday advice

PACK – PLAN – PROTECT

Heading off on your holidays this summer? ✈️🏕️#PackPlanProtect!

Even if you are heading away from home only for a night or two, don’t forget to pack any prescribed medicines!

It’s also a good idea to consider taking with you:

🔹paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief

🔹anti-histamines to help with allergies like hay fever

🔹anti-diarrhoeal medication and rehydration sachets for diarrhoea

🔹indigestion remedies like an antacid

🔹mild laxatives for constipation

🔹medicines specifically for children

For more tips check out our summer health advice page on #NHSinform.

NHS 24: Stroke? Think FAST!

FACE – ARMS – SPEECH – TIME

Strokes are serious and time-sensitive medical emergencies that require immediate attention. Knowing how to quickly recognise the signs can be crucial in saving a life. That’s where the FAST method comes in – an easy-to-remember acronym to help you spot the signs of a stroke.

Strokes can strike anyone, regardless of age or gender. Remember, every minute counts when it comes to strokes.

Stay informed, share this knowledge with your loved ones, and help spread awareness 💙