HOW long is someone infectious after a cold or flu?

It depends on the infection but the common cold is infectious about one or two days before symptoms appear.

Symptoms are usually worse during the first two to three days.

This is when you’re most infectious, although you may still be infectious until your symptoms have gone.

In adults and older children, symptoms usually last about a week, although a cough may last up to three weeks.

Colds tend to last longer in children up to age five, typically around 10 to 14 days.

Flu is usually infectious a day before symptoms start and remains infectious for about five to six days.

Anyone people with lowered immune systems may be infectious for a few days longer and should seek help early from their healthcare team.

I'VE read a few stories about the 'male pill' and I want to know more.

There's been a lot of speculation in the press about the male pill.

Scientists have been researching male contraception for some years, but more research is needed to assess its long-term safety and effectiveness.

A new male pill would aim to allow men to control their fertility in a similar way to the female contraceptive pill for women.

However, it's still not available and the current choice of contraception for men is limited to using condoms or having a vasectomy.

There are two main areas of research into male contraception and a lot of research has gone into hormonal male contraception using synthetic hormones to temporarily stop sperm developing.

WHAT is Sjogren’s syndrome?

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks fluid secreting glands such as the tear and saliva glands.

The most common symptoms associated with Sjogren’s disease are dry eyes and a dry mouth. Other less common symptoms of the condition include dry skin, muscle pain, fatigue and the inflammation of blood vessels.

Diagnosing Sjogren’s syndrome can be difficult as the symptoms are similar to those of other health conditions.

Experts in the field of Sjogren’s syndrome have developed a list of questions which can help detect the condition.

If Sjogren’s syndrome is suspected, you may need to have further tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests can include blood test, a salivary flow rate test and/or a lip biopsy.

Although there is no cure for Sjogren’s syndrome, a range of treatments can help relieve symptoms such as eye and mouth dryness.

Eye drops containing ‘artificial tears’ can be used to successfully treat dry eyes, and mouth lubrication techniques, such as chewing sugar free chewing gum and upping your fluid intakes can be used to treat a dry mouth.

In more severe cases, the medicine called pilocarpine can be prescribed to stimulate glands to produce more saliva and tears.