caring Communication

LIFE SKILL
Dr Robert Cunney , Consultant
Microbiologist at Temple St Hospital,
and the HSE’s Lead for Antimicrobial
Resistance, revealed that research has
shown that a lot of people still believe
that antibiotics can help to treat colds,
flu, earaches, tummy bugs and rashes.
In fact antibiotics do not cure these
common infections.
“Learning how to manage common
illnesses with confidence and
common sense is a life skill, and
those skills tend to come from our
parents, friends, doctors, from our
own experience and, more and more,
from the internet. Under the Weather
has been developed in response
to this, to support the public in
accessing trusted and reliable health
information, developed by the HSE
with expert knowledge and advice
from GPs and pharmacists,” he
explained.
Research among those who were
shown the site shows that only
30pc said that they would still
want an antibiotic from their GP
after visiting the site with 70pc
acknowledging that an antibiotic
was not necessary. 89pc would
recommend the website to a friend
and 83pc would be likely to visit the
site if they or a family member had
a common illness.
videos
Along with practical advice,
Under the Weather offers videos
from leading Irish GPs, Nuala
O’Connor herself, Prof Andrew
Murphy from
NUIG, and
Dr Eamonn
Shanahan from
Kerry, and from
Pharmacist, Tom
Maher from Co
Meath, who talk
about a range of
common illnesses
affecting babies,
children and adults.
They provide tips on
how to manage your
symptoms so you’ll
be feeling
better as quick as possible and when you
should contact your GP.
The website also features pharmacists on
hand to deliver advice on over the counter
remedies for you and your family. This type
of rich digital content; advice from medical
professionals, is ideal for the consumer
audience and adds to the user friendly feel
and accessible
content on the site.
Undertheweather.ie is being
promoted through radio
and online advertising and
through social media, and
GP surgeries and community
pharmacies will display
printed leaflets and posters. The website
is mobile, tablet and desktop friendly and
will be a useful companion to anyone who’s
feeling under the weather.
Here are some of the common-sense facts
that the site helps to promote:
• A cough, while irritating, can often last up
to three weeks – many people feel this is a
concern but it is quite normal
•Influenza is quite
a serious illness that can keep you off your
feet for a week or two – but it doesn’t respond
to antibiotics. We treat the flu with rest,
fluids, over the counter medicines. Keep an
eye on older people or those with long-term
illness, who might experience complications
and need to see the doctor
• Earaches and sore throats can be very
painful, but again, the vast majority don’t
respond to an antibiotic. We treat them with
over the counter medicines like paracetamol
or ibuprofen, and most resolve by themselves
within a few days
Visit www.undertheweather.ie - Get
advice and Get Better!
spring 2016 | health matters | 29