| Staff News Dr Susan Pickford will be on maternity leave from 16th May and is due to be off work until mid November. We wish Dr Pickford well and will let you know when she has had the baby. Dr Arul Nambi will be doing locum cover for Dr Pickford until the end of July when Dr Sarah Westall will take over until Dr Pickford's return. It has been a busy time at the practice on the baby front and Gemma one of our HCAs is now the proud Mum of a new baby boy. From August 2011 Dr Peter Sampson will be taking semi retirement and reducing his hours to two days per week. Dr Arul Nambi will then be joining the practice as a full time partner, I am sure you will join us in welcoming him to the practice. Measles Outbreak in Europe Measles in France An outbreak of measles which was first identified in France in early 2008, has resulted in continuous circulation of measles across the country.To date, more than 10,000 cases have been recorded, including five deaths. A significant increase in cases has been noted since the beginning of 2011; during January and February, 3749 cases were reported across the country. Those most severely affected by the illness are infants under one year-of-age and adults over 20 years-of-age. More measles cases are expected over the coming months and the authoritites are conducting an immunisation campaign, targeting in particular, infants of one year-of -age ( 9 months if in daycare) and adults under 30 years-of-age who are not fully immunised. Preliminary reports for 2010, show that there were more than 30 000 cases of measles in EU/EEA countries, five times higher than the annual average for the previous five years. Bulgaria had the highest number of cases (22 005), followed by France (5021), Italy (861) and Germany (787). Advice for travellers It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk.Two doses of MMR vaccine is required to give adequate protection. See Measles in France- Fit to Travel Website Measles outbreaks continue across Europe: WHO says, get vaccinated If you or your children were born after 1969 and have not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine you are at risk,(those born before 1970 are likely to have natural protection from having been exposed to measles as a child). Speak to reception to check if you are at risk and get vaccinated. Measles sadly has not gone away. The following links provide further information on why vaccination is so important Unprotected People Reports: Measles Justine's Story- Vaccines and why they matter- YouTube Video from Michigan USA Vaccines Save Lives- Bill Gates YouTube Video Cigarette smoking affects male fertility. Men who smoke have a lower sperm count than non-smokers, and their semen contains a higher proportion of malformed sperm.By-products of nicotine present in semen of smokers have been found to reduce the motility of sperm.Studies have found that sperm damaged by smoking may also result in more couples having baby girls than boys.The researchers suggest that the sperm cells carrying the Y chromosome are more vulnerable to the toxins in cigarette smoke.While there is a correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked and the damage to semen, researchers have found that there is no “safe” level of smoking. Even light smoking is associated with reduced male fertility.Mounting evidence shows a significant association between smoking and male sexual impotence with the association increasing with the number of cigarettes smoked per day.A meta-analysis of studies published between 1980 and 2001 found that 40% of impotent men were current smokers compared with 28% of men in the general population.Cigarette smoking also affect women’s fertility,pregnant women's health, the health of an unborn child; and the health of young children.For further information follow this link: Smoking and Reproductive Health (ASH)  These YouTube clips may also be of interest: Smoking is dangerous- YouTube For help in stopping smoking please follow this link: Colchester and Tendring Stop Smoking Support Service |
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