IT has never been more important to protect our health. Dr Hilary Jones – health editor for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine – is The Sun’s go-to expert to answer any concerns or worries you may have regarding coronavirus. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates Thousands of you […]
IT has never been more important to protect our health.
Dr Hilary Jones – health editor for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine – is The Sun’s go-to expert to answer any concerns or worries you may have regarding coronavirus.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Thousands of you have read his clear and concise answers which cut through the confusion of coronavirus and contacted us with questions you would like to put to the doctor.
Today, he tells Emma Pietras who is more at risk to the virus, how to keep safe outdoors and what to do about vulnerable relatives.
Q. I have a hole in my heart and an enlarged heart. Whenever I get the flu or colds, it goes straight to my chest. Am I more vulnerable to coronavirus?
A. Yes. You are more vulnerable with any form of heart disease and you need to stay home, socially distance and wash your hands regularly.
Q. I have a regular B12 injection. Am I more vulnerable?
A. Having regular vitamin B12 injections will not make you more vulnerable nor will any underlying medical condition, which has caused B12 deficiency.
Q. How can you keep safe when going shopping?
A. Try to do it infrequently and don’t travel too far. If there is a queue stand two metres away from everyone else and keep your distance from the checkout. You can still be sociable and polite. Try to choose shops where the staff are wearing protective equipment. When you get home, throw away packaging and wash your hands.
Q. Should I use antiseptic wipes on my food shop when I unpack?
A. Antiseptic wipes only have a very weak effect on bugs and germs on packaging. For cleaning the virus from surfaces you really need a chlorine-based cleaning product, such as bleach. For your hands, use a product containing rubbing alcohol of at least 60 per cent strength.
Q. Is it safe to continue to take fluticasone nasal drops and nitro-furantoin capsules I have been prescribed? I am concerned they could weaken my immune system.
A. While the nasal drops are steroids which reduce inflammation they only act locally. The nitrofurantoin anti- biotics will make no difference whatsoever. You should continue to use your medication as the benefits are far greater than the risks.
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Q. My partner is terminally ill and I have diabetes. I am a key worker. Should I self-isolate for 12 weeks?
A. What awful decisions so many of us have to make. While your husband is in the high risk group, you are categorised in the vulnerable group and you should work from home if you can and keep a physical distance from others.
Key workers may continue to work under the current guidance but you need to take extra-special care of yourself. You could also ask your boss if you can work in a non public-facing role.
Q. I work in the NHS in a child development centre. One of the nurses advised to shower and change my clothes at home because my husband has an autoimmune condition. Is this really necessary?
A. I think going to these lengths is unnecessary unless you are a healthcare professional exposed to high levels of risk, seeing potentially in-fected patients.
If you are washing your hands regularly you will not be transmitting any virus from clothes or hair to your face this should be sufficient.
Q. I’m 59, a diabetic on insulin and a key worker. Should I be working?
A. Diabetes puts you into the more vulnerable group being advised to work from home if possible. Key workers, however, are an exception and while you can still go to work it is worth asking if your role can be adapted so you are not in a public facing role.
Practice very strict personal hygiene too.
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