Day: December 31, 2023

Travelling to your healthcare appointment How can I plan ahead? If you live in rural or remote Australia, your treatment options may be limited and getting medical treatment may mean travelling long distances. This can be complicated and costly. If you work, go to school or have other regular commitments, let your manager or teacher know you will be away. They may need to find someone to cover you while you’re away. If you care for a child or someone else, you may need to arrange for their care while you are away. You may also need to continue this

What is passive smoking? Passive or second-hand smoking occurs when a non-smoker breathes in second-hand tobacco smoke. This can come from other people’s: cigarettes vapes cigars pipes Passive smoking can happen when you are in the same: room, house, car or public place as someone who is smoking. Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals. This includes about 70 substances that can cause cancer. Even small amounts of smoke are harmful. Passive smoke can damage the health of anyone who breathes it in. This is especially true for: babies, children and pregnant women. Passive smoking is never safe. Where does

Fifth disease (Slapped cheek disease) What is fifth disease? Fifth disease (also known as ‘slapped cheek disease’, erythema infectiosum or Parvovirus B19) is a fairly mild viral illness, usually of childhood. It is a common infection — half of adults have been infected during their childhood. Why is it called fifth disease? It is called fifth disease as it was the fifth of the 5 common viral rash illnesses of childhood. The ‘slapped cheek disease’ name comes from its most obvious symptom — a red rash that makes children’s cheeks look like they’ve been slapped. What are the symptoms of

What is a party drug? You may come across people offering or using “party drugs” when you are at a party, festival or concert. They are also known as recreational drugs. Although taking party drugs might seem fun, there are lots of risks and downsides to taking them. They are also usually illegal. Types of party drugs Party drugs fall into 3 categories. Depressant drugs slow down your central nervous system. They include: GHB marijuana (cannabis) amyl nitrite (‘poppers’) nitrous oxide (laughing gas, ‘nangs’) heroin (‘gear’) benzodiazepines (sedatives or tranquillisers) Stimulant drugs speed up your central nervous system. They include: cocaine (coke, charlie)

What is parechovirus? Parechovirus is a virus that usually has very mild symptoms, or none at all. Sometimes it can cause serious illness in babies and young children. Parechovirus is closely related to a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. Enteroviruses cause many common childhood infections. The types of parechovirus that infect people are known as human parechovirus. How does parechovirus spread? Parechovirus spreads through contact with an infected person’s breath (through sneezing or coughing), saliva or faeces (poo). You can also catch it from contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Good hygiene, especially when you’re sick, can help stop it

What are paraumbilical and umbilical hernias? Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your abdominal wall, which is made up of four layers. Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle, resulting in the contents of your abdomen, along with the inner layer, pushing through your abdominal wall. This produces a lump called a hernia. Paraumbilical and umbilical hernias are common as there is a natural weakness in the wall of your abdomen at your umbilicus. This is caused by the way babies develop in the womb. What are the benefits of surgery? You

Typhoid and paratyphoid What are typhoid and paratyphoid? Typhoid fever is caused by salmonella typhi bacteria. It can become life-threatening if not treated. Paratyphoid fever is caused by salmonella paratyphi bacteria. The bacteria are usually spread through food or water that is contaminated by faeces (poo) or urine (wee). Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are most common in parts of: Africa Asia Latin America the Middle East the Pacific Islands In Australia, more than 9 out of 10 cases of typhoid fever are caught overseas. What are the symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid fever? Typhoid and paratyphoid fever have similar symptoms, but paratyphoid is

What are the parathyroid glands? The parathyroid glands control the balance of calcium in your blood by making parathyroid hormone (PTH). Most people have four parathyroid glands, which are in your neck usually behind the thyroid gland. One or more of your parathyroid glands has become overactive, causing an increase in the level of calcium in your blood. The most common symptom is bone pain. A parathyroidectomy. What are the benefits of surgery? Your symptoms should improve. You should have less risk of permanent damage to your bones, kidneys or heart. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Sometimes you can

What is paranoia? Paranoia is a state of mind in which a person believes that others are trying to harm, deceive or exploit them. It could be a feeling of being watched, listened to, followed or monitored in some way. It might be a belief that there is some kind of conspiracy operating against them. People with paranoia sometimes have an increased sense of self-importance, believing that many others are taking notice of them when it is not true. Mild paranoid thoughts are quite common in the general population and tend to recover naturally. Long-term paranoia can be a symptom

What is paracentesis? Paracentesis is a procedure to drain fluid from your peritoneal cavity (the space in your abdomen that contains your bowels and other abdominal organs). The fluid is removed using a needle or catheter (tube). What are the benefits of paracentesis? Paracentesis is usually performed to treat ascites, a condition where too much fluid collects in the peritoneal cavity. Removing the fluid should ease your symptoms. The fluid will be tested to help find out the cause of the problem. Are there any alternatives to paracentesis? Your doctor can usually use an ultrasound scan or CT scan to be certain that extra

The terms anxiety, anxiety attack, panic attack and panic disorder are often used interchangeably to describe the physical and mental symptoms that go with nervousness, intense fear, dread and discomfort. But these are distinct conditions set apart by their features, and they can be diagnosed by mental health professionals. What is a panic attack? A panic attack is a single episode of an overwhelming feeling of intense fear and anxiety. It comes on as a sudden rush, with physical symptoms and frightening thoughts. If you have a panic attack, you might have a racing heart and palpitations.You might have pain in

What is a pandemic? A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease. Viral respiratory diseases, such as those caused by a new influenza virus or the coronavirus COVID-19, are the most likely to turn into a pandemic. A pandemic is not the same as an epidemic. In an epidemic, many more cases of a health condition occur than would normally develop in a community or region, but the condition does not spread further. In the past, there have been numerous influenza pandemics. Pandemic influenzas often have their origin in animal influenza viruses and are not the same as seasonal influenza. Few people, if

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) What is primary amoebic meningoencephalitis? Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also called amoebic meningitis, is a serious illness. It causes inflammation of the brain. An amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) causes PAM. The amoebas live in warm, fresh water and soil. Infection often happens during water-based recreational activities. Although many people have contact with the amoebas, only a small number of people develop PAM. What are the symptoms of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis? The symptoms of PAM are the same symptoms as those for meningitis. The first symptoms are: headache high fever nausea (feeling sick) vomiting These symptoms start about 5 days after infection.

What are heart palpitations? Most of the time you won’t notice your heartbeat, but if you suddenly become aware of it, this may concern you or come as a surprise. The feeling of being aware of your heart beating is described as a palpitation. Palpitations can range from simply being aware of your heart’s activity to the sensation of it beating faster and harder than usual. It can sometimes feel like your heart is missing beats or you have a heart flutter. Changes to your heartbeat are usually not serious. But always see your doctor if you have palpitations or