If you want to cure their asthma, ask about their job.

Occupational asthma is the most common occupational respiratory disorder and accounts for 15% of cases of adult asthma. A recent systematic review of evidence and management has clarified patient care for General Practitioners (GPs) who are key professionals in early diagnosis. Exposure to respirable agents in the work environment by means of dust, water aerosol or gases, causes an allergic sensitisation process in the respiratory tract.

Virological surveillance of influenza-like illness in the community using PCR and serology.

Background: Surveillance of winter respiratory viral illness has been carried out for nearly 30 years using a clinical diagnosis by general practitioners as part of the Scottish Sentinel General Practice (SSGP) network. Contemparaneous laboratory diagnosis has not been available previously.

Objectives: To assess the proportion of influenza-like illness (ILI) attributable to influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and picornavirus infection during the winter season.