Day: November 9, 2023

What is chlamydia? Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) — a disease you can get from having unprotected sex. It’s caused by a type of bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is very common: it’s the most frequently reported infectious disease in Australia, and nearly 97,000 men and women are diagnosed with it each year. If you’re sexually active and under 30 years of age, you are at the highest risk of contracting chlamydia. What are the symptoms of chlamydia? Most people who have chlamydia show no symptoms at all. This means you won’t be able to tell if you or your partner has it.

Children’s medicines When are medicines recommended for children? While some children may find their illness clears up on its own, others will need medicines to treat the illness or prevent it from getting worse. Your doctor or pharmacist will usually know whether your child needs medicine, as well as the most appropriate and safest option. They can explain why they have chosen this medicine and its benefits for your child’s health. Children’s medicines differ from adults’ medicines because children absorb and process medicines differently. When your doctor prescribes a medicine for your child, the dosage is calculated to specifically suit

Dental care for children Caring for children’s teeth is important It’s important to look after your child’s teeth from the moment they start teething. Keeping your child’s teeth and gums clean will protect against infection, cavities and pain. Decayed baby teeth can damage the permanent (adult) teeth underneath. It’s important for your child to get into a regular oral hygiene routine to prevent tooth decay. Babies can be affected by tooth decay as soon as their first teeth arrive. The first signs of decay often appear as white spots or lines on the front teeth. If a child’s tooth is lost due to

Depression in children What is depression in children? Depression is a mental health condition that can affect people of all ages. Children with depression may feel unhappy, miserable or irritable. They might describe this as feeling “grumpy” or “down”. You may notice that they are uninterested in things they normally enjoy. While it is normal to feel unhappy sometimes, if these feelings interfere with your child’s activities or social life, or they go on for more than 2 weeks, they may have depression. Children with depression have different symptoms than teenagers or adults with depression, and they may not be able to express

Obesity in children What is obesity in children? A child or adolescent who is living with obesity has more body fat than other children of the same age. If your child is living with obesity, they will be in the highest weight range, outside what’s considered healthy for their age. If your child is overweight, their body mass is also outside a healthy range, but not as much as a child with obesity. In Australia, around 1 in 4 children aged between 4 and 15 years live with obesity or are overweight. What are the signs of obesity in children?

What is childhood cancer? If your child has been diagnosed with cancer, there will be physical, emotional and practical challenges ahead. You may have a lot of different feelings. But there is lots of support and information out there to help both you and your family. Every year, more than 700 children under 14 years are diagnosed with cancer in Australia. Almost half of childhood cancers are diagnosed in children aged between 0 and 4 years. The most common childhood cancers are: leukaemia lymphoma brain cancer However, parents today have more reason to be hopeful than ever before. Years ago, most

What is child abuse? Child abuse is any act that causes physical or emotional harm to a child, that is carried out by someone who is in a position of responsibility, trust or power. This might be an adult or an older child. Child abuse is against the law. It is never appropriate. An act may be considered child abuse, even if it was not done intentionally. It’s not known how many children suffer from child abuse, because many children don’t tell anyone about it. What are the types of child abuse? There are different types of child abuse. Most

What are chilblains? Chilblains are itchy, swollen and painful lumps or patches on your skin. They form after exposure to cold but not freezing temperatures. They usually affect the fingers, and toes but can also appear on the nose and ears. Chilblains are sometimes called ‘perniosis’. Chilblains do not cause lasting damage. They usually heal in a few weeks. They’re not the same as frostbite, which is more serious. The affected area might stay sensitive to cold after they heal. What are the symptoms of chilblains? Chilblains appear as reddish-purple bumps or patches on the skin. Chilblains can appear quickly, most often on your

What is Chiari malformation? Chiari malformation (or Arnold-Chiari malformation) is a condition where part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal, through which the spinal cord runs. People with a Chiari malformation usually have it from birth. Some people don’t have any symptoms. Others may have symptoms and may need surgery. Normally, the lower part of the brain, known as the cerebellum, and part of the brain stem sit above an opening in the skull that allows the spinal cord to pass through it. If part of the skull is smaller than normal or misshapen, it may push the cerebellum

What is CWPF (chest wall perforator flap) breast reconstruction? A chest wall perforator flap (CWPF) breast reconstruction is an operation to recreate a breast shape or restore volume to the breast after you have had surgery for breast cancer. The aim is to replace the breast tissue removed at the time of cancer surgery with skin and fat from the chest wall (under your arm or breast). This will help restore the size and shape of your breast. This procedure is normally carried out after a wide local excision (lumpectomy) for breast cancer. What are the benefits of CWPF surgery?

What is chest pain? Chest pain is any sort of pain felt in your upper body, from your jaw down to the bottom of your ribs. How do I know if my chest pain is serious? Because chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack or another cardiac condition, it’s safest to consider the pain as heart-related, until proven otherwise. When should I call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance? If you have any of the symptoms below, call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your