https://patient.info/health/rss Latest updates from Patient.info PatientInformationLeaflet Copyright 2026 Patient.info Getting the flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against becoming seriously ill with flu. https://patient.info/infections/influenza-and-flu-like-illness/immunisation-for-flu doc_4281 2026-11-01T23:00:00.000Z Open the flu jab Is the flu vaccine free for you this winter? The flu vaccine is free on the NHS for people most likely to get seriously ill from flu, and for those who could easily pass it on to someone at risk. Whether you qualify depends on your age, your health, and a few other things such as being pregnant or caring for someone. The groups change a little each year, and some people can book earlier than others. For the 2026 to 2027 season, most people who are offered a free flu vaccine can get it from either 1 September 2026 or 1 October 2026. Use the free checker above to find out in under a minute whether you, or a child you look after, can get a free NHS flu vaccine this winter — and the date you can book from. https://patient.info/healthy-living/flu-checker 49wRqv5ghYJApvFe9uqBhP 2026-10-25T23:00:00.000Z Remote travel is easy and accessible. However, once you get to your destination you may be in a very different environment from the one you're used to. https://patient.info/travel-and-vaccinations/health-advice-for-travel-abroad/travelling-to-remote-locations doc_28787 2026-09-29T23:00:00.000Z We're excited to launch our new 8-Week Healthy Baby Course. Each week we focus on key topics such as sleep, bonding with your baby, breastfeeding, teething, and weaning. Join us for practical advice and useful tips to help support the health and wellbeing of both you and your baby. Lynn Stephen https://patient.info/childrens-health/8-weekhealthybabycourse 4nNgyOU6iLpPD509lioRlH 2026-09-04T23:00:00.000Z Medical cannabis is sometimes considered as an additional treatment option for palliative care when standard approaches have not provided sufficient relief or have caused troublesome side effects. Dr Sheila Popert https://patient.info/treatment-and-medication/medical-cannabis-in-palliative-care ayOvbqUE48u8pR6516d9c 2026-08-13T23:00:00.000Z Travel vaccinations are an essential part of holiday and travel planning, particularly if your journey takes you to an exotic destination or 'off the beaten track'. The risks are not restricted to tropical travel, although most travel vaccines are targeted at diseases which are more common in the tropics. For more general information about travel see the separate leaflet called Health advice for travel abroad. This leaflet discusses the vaccinations that are available and gives some idea of the time you need to allow to complete a full protective course of vaccination. Further information specific to your destination can be obtained from your surgery (if they have the resources to offer this service), from specialist travel clinics and from a number of websites. You will find a selection of these listed at the bottom of this leaflet and under references. Dr Mary Elisabeth Lowth, FRCGP https://patient.info/travel-and-vaccinations/travel-vaccinations-leaflet doc_28848 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z Dengue (which used to be called dengue fever) is a viral illness which is very common in the tropics and subtropics. It is usually a flu-like illness lasting under a week but it can sometimes be very serious, even fatal. https://patient.info/travel-and-vaccinations/dengue-leaflet doc_29441 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z Chikungunya fever is an illness caused by a virus. The virus infects you when you are bitten by a certain type of mosquito. You cannot catch chikungunya fever in the UK but you may be at risk of catching it when abroad. It usually causes a high temperature (the 'fever') and joint pains. In most people it goes away completely after one or two weeks. In a few people it may be a more serious illness. There is no specific treatment. Before travelling, always check for the latest information on infections in the area to which you are going. Chikungunya can be prevented by taking measures to avoid mosquito bites. See Travel Health Pro in Further reading and references below. https://patient.info/travel-and-vaccinations/chikungunya-fever-leaflet doc_29148 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin condition which affects children and teenagers more than adults. It causes rough skin, particularly over the upper arms, outer legs and buttocks. Dr Philippa Vincent, MRCGP https://patient.info/skin-conditions/keratosis-pilaris 55TBS4nDwDiqDjgaJwCY8n 2026-08-03T23:00:00.000Z A swollen eyelid is very common and is usually due to allergy, inflammation, infection, or injury. It can affect either the upper or lower eyelid, or both. Dr Mary Elisabeth Lowth, FRCGP https://patient.info/eye-care/swollen-eyelid doc_29858 2026-05-27T00:00:00.000Z