Health library
Plain-language guides to common health conditions: causes, symptoms, treatment and when to see a doctor.
You receive your blood test results. Suddenly there are lots of medical terms. You have Hb, RBC, WBC, MCV and platelets. Along with some of these you will have H’s and L’s next to numbers which can cause you to worry. The complete blood count (CBC) is a routine blood test used to determine the levels of various blood cells in your body. This can give doctors information about anaemias, infections and bleeding disorders.
A nosebleed can occur at any time whilst at work, on the move or even when blowing your nose due to a cold. Many will automatically lean their head back or insert a piece of tissue into their nose. However, this may cause more problems. Most nose bleeds are caused by slight irritation and can be treated at home. Knowing what to do when you have a nosebleed and what not to do will help you stop the bleeding safely.
"It's nothing but a fever." A fever is generally a sign that your body is fighting off some kind of infection and typically goes away as soon as the source of the infection has been dealt with. However, if you have a very high or lingering fever, or if it is accompanied by other serious symptoms, you should call your doctor.
