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Nasofed Anti Viral Nasal Spray, from EM Pharma, is delighted to welcome Dr Sarah Jarvis as medical adviser for its winter colds and flu consumer awareness campaign. Sarah is well known as a trusted and reliable source of medical advice through her various media roles as Resident GP on BBC R2's The Jeremey Vine Show, Good Morning Britain, Channel 5 and ITV News. Says Paul Walsh, EM Pharma Managing Director: "Dr Sarah will be offering advice on how people can best protect themselves and their families against seasonal and year-round viruses, including the use of Nasofed anti viral thixotropic nasal spray as an extra layer of protection particularly in situations of increased viral risk." Dr Sarah adds: "Viruses continue to affect our daily lives, whether that be year-round viruses or more seasonal viruses such as colds and flu and RSV, all of which are expected to be particularly prevalent this year. In situations of increased viral risk, a thixotropic nasal spray delivering anti viral ingredients will help protect you. It's a real step forward in virus prevention, not just for colds and flu, but also year-round viruses."

Genomic sequencing allowed the world to track new coronavirus variants throughout the pandemic. Now British researchers plan to use it to better understand a host of other respiratory pathogens, from influenza to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The work is aimed at shedding more light on known threats and, potentially, emerging ones, the team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, working with the UK Health Security Agency, said. The world has never had access to the kind of real-time information for these viruses that scientists obtained on SARS-CoV-2 through sequencing millions of genomes, Ewan Harrison, head of the new Respiratory Virus and Microbiome Initiative, told reporters on Monday. That includes granular detail on how they transmit as well as how they evolve in the face of the human immune response. "We hope that by expanding our ability to sequence these viruses routinely, we can build upon the work that's going on COVID, and hopefully supercharge research efforts to understand the transmission of these viruses, but also to help develop new treatments and vaccines," Harrison said.

Winter is imminent and with dropping temperatures viruses are bound to be more prevalent, exacerbating health problems among the vulnerable and immunocompromised patients. This can cause serious complications, and therefore, it's important to know the symptoms, methods to manage them and when to refer. A healthy person can usually manage the illnesses with over-the counter medication. Colds, flu and Covid-19 are caused by different viruses. As some of their symptoms overlap, it may be hard to tell the difference. However, some key differences are shown in the following figure. It is also possible to suffer from cold/flu and Covid-19 simultaneously, which can complicate matters. As per NHS guidelines, anyone with fever, cough, loss/change in sense of taste and/or smell has to self-isolate and request a Covid test. Pharmacy Advice The pharmacy team should advise patients with symptoms to take rest, ensure adequate hydration and take balanced nutrition. Supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D and zinc can also help to boost the immune system and can be recommended.

It is no secret that hospitals and other healthcare facilities are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. In order to protect patients, it is essential that medical staff maintain a high level of hygiene at all times. Unfortunately, many healthcare workers do not take the necessary precautions to keep themselves clean. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to increase the hygiene level of your medical staff. We will also touch on the importance of enforcing strict hand-washing policies and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). 1) THEY MUST WEAR SCRUB HATS One of the most important things that you can do to increase the hygiene level of your medical staff is to make sure that they are wearing scrub hats. Scrub hats help to keep hair out of patients' wounds and also prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses from the hair to the hands. While it is not mandatory for all medical staff to wear scrub hats, it is strongly encouraged. Also, be sure to provide clean scrub hats for each shift.

At the European Conference of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) this year in Copenhagen, Denmark, data on a test that may detect HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from a single drop of blood are being presented. Hepatitis B or C claim the lives of over a million people each year. Every year, 1.5 million individuals contract HIV, and 650,000 people pass away from HIV-related causes. The World Health Organisation has made the elimination of all three viruses by 2030 one of its global health strategies but new tests are necessary if case numbers are to be reduced. The most common test for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV involves taking a blood sample from a vein using a needle. While this method works extremely well, there is a potentially large reservoir of the three conditions in places where this method is not suitable. This could be prisons, drug rehabilitation centres and homeless shelters, where the taking of venous blood samples isn't always suitable or countries in which the shipping and refrigerated storage of blood samples can be challenging. Alternatives include dried blood spot tests, in which a single spot of blood is tested for nucleic acid from the three viruses.

Take garlic and carefully break off the cloves. Burn the remaining stem and let it turn into fumes. The smoke is not unpleasant and proves to be very useful for purification of air and prevention of various airborne diseases.

The European Commission launched an initiative to deal with the ongoing supply crisis on Tuesday (24 October). The following announcement comes after the shortage of key antibiotics last winter identified by the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The "European Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism" is a proposed short-term measure that involves a Member State's need for a given medicine to other Member States to redistribute medicines from their available stock. Additionally, the Commission intends to cooperate with member states to improve components of pharmaceutical reform with an aim to strengthen supply security. They are setting up a few actions apart from the launch, a list of critical medicines to analyse the supply chain by early 2024; regulatory flexibilities; strengthening security of supply; and availability of antibiotics and treatments for respiratory viruses by next winter.

The name coronavirus is derived from the Latin word corona meaning crown, Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that infects the lungs

The UK Health Security Agency on Friday said it had designated a sub-lineage of the dominant and highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant as a variant under investigation. BA.2, which does not have the specific mutation seen with Omicron that can be used as a proxy to easily distinguish it from Delta, is being investigated but has not been designated a variant of concern. "It is the nature of viruses to evolve and mutate, so it's to be expected that we will continue to see new variants emerge," Dr Meera Chand, incident director at the UKHSA, said. "Our continued genomic surveillance allows us to detect them and assess whether they are significant." Britain had identified 53 sequences of the BA.2 sub-lineage as of January 10, with updated figures due to be published later on Friday.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says initial tests of the antibody-based Covid-19 therapy it is developing with US partner Vir suggest the drug is effective against the Omicron variant. A GSK statement on Thursday (December 2) said that lab tests and a study on hamsters have demonstrated the sotrovimab antibody cocktail to work against viruses that were bio-engineered to carry a number of hallmark mutations of the new variant. The tests are continuing to confirm the results against all of the Omicron mutations, with an update expected by the end of the year, it added. The antibody is designed to latch on to the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus, but Omicron has been found to have an unusually high amount of mutations on that protein. "Sotrovimab was deliberately designed with a mutating virus in mind," said Vir chief executive George Scangos, adding that the drug was targeting a region of the spike protein that was highly unlikely to mutate.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are usually acquired through sexual contact. The organisms (viruses, bacteria, or parasites) that cause STIs may pass from person to person in semen, vaginal fluids, blood, or other bodily fluids.

The World Health Organization says it is tracking a few dozen cases of two new sub-variants of the highly transmissible Omicron strain of the coronavirus to assess whether they are more infectious or dangerous. It has added BA.4 and BA.5, sister variants of the original BA.1 Omicron variant, to its list for monitoring. It is already tracking BA.1 and BA.2 - now globally dominant - as well as BA.1.1 and BA.3. The WHO said on Monday (April 11) it had begun tracking them because of their "additional mutations that need to be further studied to understand their impact on immune escape potential". Viruses mutate all the time but only some mutations affect their ability to spread or evade prior immunity from vaccination or infection, or the severity of disease they cause. For instance, BA.2 now represents nearly 94% of all sequenced cases and is more transmissible than its siblings, but the evidence so far suggests it is no more likely to cause severe disease.

Boots UK's chief pharmacist has been encouraging people to get a flu vaccination by the end of November to help protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS this festive season. Flu cases in the UK are usually highest in the winter months, from December to March. This year, the UK has seen a rise in cases earlier than usual, and therefore Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots, reminds people that it is even more important to get protected early to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus due to increased mixing at Christmas parties and family get togethers. Approximately 33 million people are eligible for the free NHS flu jab, including those over 50 years of age, pregnant women and those with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. The pharmacy multiple says it offers the winter flu jab service, which is suitable for those eligible for the free NHS flu jab as well as privately, adding that it has already administered over one million flu vaccinations this season. Ms Nevinson explains: "December is a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate the month's festivities. It's a good idea to plan ahead to ensure you have your flu jab, and your COVID-19 booster vaccination if you are eligible, if you've not had them already, this the best way to protect yourself and reduce the risk of passing the viruses to others.

Researchers at at an Australian university have developed a new form of antibiotic that can be swiftly re-engineered to avoid resistance to dangerous superbugs. The antibiotic, which was developed by PhD candidate Priscila Cardoso and major supervisor Dr Celine Valery from RMIT's School of Health and Biosciences, has a basic architecture that allows it to be generated quickly and cheaply in a lab. The antibiotic, Priscilicidin, has tiny amino acid building blocks that allow it to be tailored to combat various types of antimicrobial resistance. With the World Health Organization calling antimicrobial resistance "one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity", developing new antibiotics has become more urgent than ever. Professor Charlotte Conn, one of Cardoso's PhD supervisors, said given that urgency, Priscilicidin was an exciting breakthrough for public health. Priscilicidin is a type of antimicrobial peptide. These peptides are produced by all living organisms as the first defence against bacteria and viruses.

Water is the lifeblood of any business - employees must stay hydrated and productive, and it's needed for many industrial processes. That's why businesses need to filter their water and remove any harmful contaminants. Here are six major reasons why businesses should filter their water. HEALTH HAZARDS Unfiltered water can contain harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious health problems. If these contaminants get into the water supply, they can make employees sick and lead to absenteeism. In some cases, these contaminants can even be deadly. Therefore, if you notice that your employees are getting sick more often, it could be because of the water they're drinking. Other signs could be discolored water, strange taste or odors, or water that contains sediment. Regular water testing and investing in a quality water filtration system can help to remove these contaminants and keep your employees healthy. On the other hand, there are regulations and guidelines in place to make sure that the water supplied to businesses is safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates public drinking water, and businesses are required to follow these regulations.

Immunogenicity refers to the capacity of a vaccine to provoke an immune response in the body. An effective immune response is characterized by the production of specific antibodies, activation of immune cells, and the development of immunological memory. The goal is to elicit a durable and robust response that can prevent or control infections. Leveraging Viral Vector Technology Viral vectors serve as essential vehicles for delivering antigenic proteins or genetic material into target cells, triggering an immune response. Biotechnology companies have been exploring advanced strategies to optimize viral vector design, aiming to enhance immunogenicity and improve vaccine effectiveness. Vector Selection: The choice of viral vector plays a crucial role in determining immunogenicity. Different viruses have unique properties and characteristics that can impact immune responses. Biotechnology companies meticulously select viral vectors that possess the desired attributes, such as the ability to infect target cells efficiently and induce strong immune responses. Genetic Engineering: Advanced genetic engineering techniques are employed to modify viral vectors, tailoring them to specific vaccine requirements. By introducing specific antigenic proteins or genetic material, researchers can stimulate the immune system to mount a targeted response. This precise manipulation enhances the vaccine's ability to elicit a robust immune reaction. Immunomodulatory Elements: Biotechnology companies are incorporating immunomodulatory elements into viral vector designs. These elements can enhance the immune response by stimulating various components of the immune system, such as antigen-presenting cells and T cells. By activating and priming these immune cells, the vaccine can generate a more potent and sustained immune response. Adjuvants: Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to enhance their immunogenicity. They stimulate and amplify the immune response, improving the

BioNTech and Pfizer are to start tests on humans of next-generation vaccines that protect against a wide variety of coronaviruses in the second half of the year. Their experimental work on shots that go beyond the current approach include T-cell-enhancing shots, designed to primarily protect against severe disease if the virus becomes more dangerous, and pan-coronavirus shots that protect against the broader family of viruses and its mutations. In presentation slides posted on BioNTech's website for its investor day, the German biotech firm said its aim was to "provide durable variant protection". The two companies are currently discussing with regulators enhanced versions of their established shot to better protect against the Omicron variant and its sublineages. The virus' persistent mutation into new variants that more easily evade vaccine protection, as well as waning human immune memory, have added urgency to the search by companies, governments and health bodies for more reliable tools of protection. As part of a push to further boost its infectious disease business, BioNTech said it was independently working on precision antibiotics that kill superbugs that have grown resistant to currently available anti-infectives.

In the pharmaceutical industry, maintaining strict hygiene standards is paramount to ensure the safety and efficacy of products. One of the critical components in achieving this goal is the utilization of sanitary clamps. These clamps play a vital role in securing various connections within pharmaceutical equipment, preventing contamination, and upholding sterile conditions. In this article, we delve into the reasons why sanitary clamps are indispensable for maintaining hygiene in pharmaceutical settings. Contamination Prevention Sanitary clamps serve as a crucial barrier against contamination in pharmaceutical environments. With stringent regulations governing pharmaceutical manufacturing, any compromise in hygiene can result in significant consequences, including product recalls and compromised patient safety. Sanitary clamps are designed to create secure and airtight connections between pipes, hoses, and other components, effectively sealing off potential entry points for contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and particulate matter. By minimizing the risk of contamination, these clamps help pharmaceutical companies uphold the integrity of their products and adhere to regulatory standards. Moreover, the design of sanitary clamps ensures ease of cleaning and sterilization, further reducing the risk of cross-contamination between batches. Unlike traditional fastening methods that may harbor bacteria or residue, sanitary clamps feature smooth surfaces and minimal crevices, making them easier to sanitize. This not only enhances hygiene but also promotes efficiency in the cleaning process, allowing pharmaceutical manufacturers to maintain high levels of cleanliness without compromising production timelines. Overall, by preventing contamination and facilitating thorough cleaning, sanitary clamps play a crucial role in safeguarding the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and The Pirbright Institute have launched a new collaboration to develop vaccines against henipavirus, a genus of viruses that includes Nipah virus. Funded by the Medical Research Council, this research aims to develop a vaccine that provides cross protection against the whole genus, addressing the threat of outbreaks from new or emerging henipaviruses and strengthening epidemic preparedness. Scientists at UKHSA will evaluate the protective efficacy of vaccines developed by The Pirbright Institute by using use a model of Nipah virus disease, which mimics the infection in humans. Professor Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer at UKHSA, stated that the study would improve understanding of henipaviruses and enhance efforts to protect health from this "current and future global health threat." "The work will also make a vital contribution to the 100 Days Mission - an important initiative to make sure the world is better prepared for the next pandemic by accelerating the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines," he added.

The final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry has been published today, bringing to light a devastating chapter in the history of the UK's healthcare system. The inquiry, which was launched by former Prime Minister Theresa May in 2017, examined how contaminated blood products infected over 30,000 NHS patients with deadly viruses, including HIV and Hepatitis C, between the 1970s and 1990s. Following the publication of the report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a formal apology on behalf of successive governments, acknowledging the state's significant failings. He stated that he finds it "impossible to comprehend" how victims felt when injected with deadly diseases through no fault of their own.