*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

This Week - W : Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden movement of the head. It usually gets better within 2 to 3 months.

Check if you have whiplash

Whiplash most often happens after a traffic accident or a slip or fall.

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

It can take several hours for the symptoms to start after you injure your neck.

There are some things you can do to treat whiplash.

take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with pain
try to continue doing everyday activities - it might hurt a little but it will speed up your recovery

You have injured your neck and:

you have severe pain despite taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
you have tingling or pins and needles on 1 or both sides of your body
you have problems with walking or sitting upright
you have a sudden "electric shock" feeling in your neck and back which may also go into your arms and legs
your arms or legs feel weak

These symptoms could be caused by damage to the nerves in your neck or back.

What we mean by severe pain

Severe pain:: always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
you cannot sleep
it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:: always there
makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:: comes and goes
is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities

A GP may prescribe a stronger painkiller such as codeine for whiplash.

If your symptoms do not get any better after a few weeks, a GP may refer you:

Physiotherapy from the NHS may not be available in your area and waiting times can be long. You can also get physiotherapy privately.

We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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