NHS Website Sees Increased Christmas Queries on Drinking and Breastfeeding

New data indicates that information on drinking while breastfeeding on the NHS website experienced the most significant rise in page views during last year’s Christmas period. While guidance on coughs, colds, and chest infections was among the most frequently accessed content on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2023, NHS England reported that inquiries regarding drinking and breastfeeding, alcohol poisoning, and rabies also saw considerable interest. Additionally, there was an uptick in views for pages detailing burns, scalds, and their treatment. Regarding specific health conditions, the page concerning the winter vomiting norovirus was the second most frequently visited after Covid-19, accumulating 19,170 views during the 48-hour festive window in 2023. Furthermore, chest infection-related content drew 17,398 visits, equating to approximately one every 10 seconds, and pages addressing diarrhoea and vomiting recorded 11,789 views. Although the total number of views for NHS website pages pertaining to breastfeeding and alcohol consumption remained comparatively lower, they experienced a substantial 146% increase, rising from 1,028 to 2,526, when contrasted with the week preceding Christmas. The NHS states that alcohol can transfer into breastmilk and subsequently to the infant during feeding. It further advises that an infrequent alcoholic beverage is improbable to cause harm to a baby, particularly if a minimum two-hour waiting period is observed before feeding. However, it cautions: “Regularly drinking above the recommended limits can be harmful for you and your baby.” Additionally, inquiries for information on alcohol poisoning saw a 60% surge during the festive period, escalating from 1,268 to 2,008 hits when compared to a typical 48-hour timeframe. Page visits related to animal and human bites also grew by one-third, reaching 1,494 from 1,128. Furthermore, views on NHS pages concerning rabies climbed by 123% over Christmas, from 700 to 1,564, relative to the preceding week. Information on burns and scalds and their treatment experienced a 50% increase in page views, rising from 1,782 to 2,748, compared to the week prior to Christmas. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, who serves as NHS England’s medical director, commented that unforeseen accidents and injuries are possible, emphasizing that both the NHS website and the NHS App offer continuous access to assistance and information. He stated: “So if you do burn yourself putting the roast potatoes in the oven, or you pick up a winter virus and want some support to manage the symptoms, the NHS website is the best place to find useful advice on what to do.” He further mentioned that NHS personnel would be diligently working throughout the holiday period to deliver care to individuals with the greatest need. For emergency assistance, individuals should dial 999, while 111 is available for less urgent health concerns. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.