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Shout until you

are hoarse –

you won’t get

an autumn

course of

antibiotics

The move from summer into autumn is bound to see
a rise in familiar health conditions such as coughs,
headaches and chest infections.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Dr Chauhan is a respected GP, health and social care
One thing that will be different this year is that GPs will campaigner, and champion of social justice and charity.
be giving the cold shoulder to prescribing antibiotics As a local GP, he has become a powerful advocate for
and the patient will have to manage chest infections and his patients and introduced innovative methods to
sore throats better. improve their care. His work mentoring and employing
young people has won national recognition.

Resistance to antibiotics is partly caused by too many
needless drugs being prescribed. This can make bacteria For some people, shorter days and reducing
in your body resistant to the drug. Not being able to temperatures are more than just inconveniences. They
respond to antibiotics means that more patients will die include those suffering from seasonal affective disorder
of drug-resistant infections. (SAD), for whom the symptoms of depression are more
apparent . As the saying goes, ‘it is okay not to feel okay’
Instead of badgering your GP for antibiotics, and contacting your doctor about SAD is essential.
concentrate on clearing colds through painkillers and
taking on plenty of water and bed rest. Stop the spread Some asthma sufferers will also not be relishing the
of viruses by keeping your hands clean and catching a onset of autumn. Cold air and damp can trigger
sneeze in a handkerchief. flare-ups and even attacks and so proper use of your
inhaler and sticking to your asthma plan is vital.
Although it does not create a barrier against all sniffles,
the flu jab has a healthy success rate and if you are living The wind and the rain can also make those joints stiffen
with a lifetime condition or caring for someone who has for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The expert advice
one, you could qualify for a free injection. is to keep yourself warm, wear extra layers, put a
blanket in every room of your home and insulate it if it
Those toddling off to school for the first time should is draughty (you could spend some time searching for
have had their four-in-one pre-school injections to grants available to help you do this).
boost immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and
whooping cough. This should be administered when a The change in seasons to autumn can have an effect
child is four months and three years old, so if your child on our health, but there are things we can do all year
still needs this vaccination, contact your GP. to help ourselves, such as good diet, cutting down on
alcohol, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking.
Perhaps less well-known is the inoculation of teenagers,
and especially those going to university, to prevent the Don’t fall foul of autumn ailments. Instead make it a
deadly diseases meningitis and septicaemia. Cases of season of change - for the better.
both have risen dramatically.

REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2019 40 41 REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2019