Christmas season is in full swing — but partying, alcohol consumption and a lack of awareness about sexually transmitted infections might mean some people will end up with an unwanted festive gift. With this is mind, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take proactive steps to look after their sexual health and wellbeing this festive period. Dr Rachel Coyle, Consultant at the PHA, said: “Figures released recently show an overall increase in both testing and diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Northern Ireland. We want people to enjoy the festive period but it

With the festive party season under way, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is offering some helpful safer drinking advice for those who choose to drink alcohol. Many of us tend to over-indulge at Christmas but overdoing it with alcohol could seriously damage your health. Kevin Bailey, the PHA’s Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol, said: “Many of us like to have a drink at this time of year and we’re not saying people shouldn’t, but it’s important that we enjoy ourselves safely. “It is easy to forget that alcohol is a powerful drug and we need to be careful how we use it. Drinking too much has a

On average two people die every week in Northern Ireland as a result of an accident in the home and with this in mind a new pharmacy campaign has been launched with the aim of preventing home accidents. The ‘Home Accident Prevention’ campaign is running in local community pharmacies as part of the Living Well service. It aims to reduce the number of accidents in the home by raising community awareness of hazards and increasing knowledge on how to eliminate risks. The campaign will run throughout December and January. Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and

With Christmas around the corner time is running out to get your winter vaccines if you are eligible. The sooner you get them, the sooner you'll help protect yourself and those around you. Dr Brid Farrell, Deputy Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA) is particularly calling on the parents of pre-school and school aged children to get them vaccinated against flu. “Evidence shows that the flu vaccine for children can provide direct protection to them and will also reduce the amount of flu circulating, thus providing indirect protection for older people and individuals with

Sunday 11 December is Organ Donation Discussion Day. On Discussion Day, the Public Health Agency encourages everyone to think about organ donation, register a decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and to talk about that decision with loved ones. As Christmas approaches, most of us are working through our shopping gift lists. But there’s one very special gift that we could all consider – the ‘gift of life’ through organ donation. Each year, hundreds of lives are saved and transformed by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Organ donation is a most precious gift, and t he selfless

Parents and guardians are being urged to be alert for the signs of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections by the Public Health Agency (PHA). Group A streptococcus bacteria usually cause a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances, these bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS). As well as an increase in notifications of scarlet fever, which is above the levels we usually see at this time of year, the PHA is also aware of a higher number of cases of

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising parents and carers to be aware of the symptoms of scarlet fever following an increase in the number of cases at schools and nurseries across Northern Ireland. The PHA has seen an increase in notifications of scarlet fever which is above the levels we usually see at this time of year. This follows two years during the pandemic when notifications were lower than usual. Other parts of the UK have also reported increases. Clusters of scarlet fever have been reported at schools and nurseries in Antrim, Belfast, Bangor and Craigavon. Scarlet fever is a