CHICKENPOX has emerged as the ailment most often searched for on the NHS’s own website, according to a survey of online traffic.

At the NHS Direct health site there were 112,000 internet searches in the past six months for information on the viral infection which typically occurs among children under 10. This made chickenpox the most popular search by a slim margin.

Stress-related conditions, infections and embarrassing illnesses also appear to dominate the nation’s health woes, according to the top 20 most popular inquiries, which were made public yesterday.

The information, which researchers claim may be the largest ever health snapshot of the nation, is drawn from millions of anonymous visits to the NHS Direct website.

The second greatest interest for NHS Direct users is pregnancy. Together, chickenpox and pregnancy accounted for more than 200,000 searches in six months. The list of searches also contains a large number of health issues associated with overwork and also topics such as sexually transmitted diseases. Thrush and diabetes occupy positions three and four, and in fifth place is irritable bowel syndrome.

Mark Hamilton, a doctor who broadcasts on BBC Radio 1 and who is helping to publicise the survey, said that chlamydia, ringworm or depression may appear in the top 20 simply because many people are embarrassed to approach their doctor directly.

“Back pain, sciatica and irritable bowel syndrome seem more common nowadays because our modern, hectic lifestyles are playing some part in the illnesses we get,” he said.

A visit to a website is not a substitute for visiting a doctor, he said, but does help people to make informed decisions. He added that the website provides a valuable support tool to the other health sectors, easing some of the pressure on GPs and hospitals.

NHS Direct is believed to be the most popular health site in Britain, attracting more than 1.5 million visits a month. The survey coincides with the relaunch of NHS Direct.

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

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