Day: 19 May 2014

Make sure you ask to have any investigations/results copied in to your treating Doctors

Historically patients saw one general practitioner (GP) for most of their life. Now, patients may see more than one GP. Sometimes it may be convenient for patients to see one GP close to work and another close to home. Some people reside in more than one location during the year and see a different GP in each place. Whatever the reason, it is invaluable for all treating GPs and other relevant doctors to receive copies of any results of investigations that may ensue from each consultation.

The risk of shingles in Australia has doubled between 2000 and 2010.Shingles will often cause a painful, debilitating illness with extensive skin lesions, and the possibility of long term nerve damage. About 30% of people with shingles develop Post herpetic neuralgia, defined as significant pain lasting more than 3 months after shingles.

The shingles vaccine has been recommended by Australian Immunisation authorities since 2009, but the vaccine has rarely been available, so we did not promote it until now, when it is readily available.