Kings Medical Practice News www.kingmedicalpractice.co.uk

Normally October -April each year we are advising adults and children over 1 year take a daily supplement of Vitamin D to maintain healthy levels. Vitamin D helps to control the amount of calcium and phosphate in our bodies. Both are needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Vitamin D is found naturally in a small number of foods, including oily fish, red meat, liver and egg yolks. It's also found in fortified foods like breakfast cereals and fat spreads. However, it's difficult for us to get the recommended amount of vitamin D from food alone. Our main source of vitamin D is from the action of sunlight on our skin. At present, due to the Stay at Home advice, you may not be getting enough vitamin D from sunlight if you’re indoors most of the day. There have been some news reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus. However, there is no evidence that this is the case. As a precaution, all babies under one year should have a daily 8.5-10mcg vitamin D s

During the coronavirus crisis, parents and carers up and down the country have been doing the right thing by keeping children with minor ailments at home. Early reports show that self-isolation measures in place are making a difference to virus-related hospital admissions. The NHS is under immense pressure, with around 15 times the amount of people trying to access NHS 111 for advice and guidance. Children with febrile symptoms, lethargy and vomiting may be mistaken as a COVID-19 patient. While COVID-19 is infectious to children it is rarely serious and children do not always present with common symptoms. If a child is unwell, they are likely to be unwell for reasons not related to COVID-19. There are increasing concerns that children and families are not accessing medical advice and review when it is needed. We want to make sure that children are getting a quick diagnosis as soon as possible (right care, right time and right place). We want our patients to know that we are here f