As coronavirus spreads around the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the virus a pandemic. Definitions of the emotionally charged words ‘outbreak’, ‘epidemic’ and ‘pandemic’ can be blurred during viral outbreaks. So what do they each mean? Outbreak An outbreak is the initial stage classification of a disease affecting …
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How far is a coronavirus vaccine?
The race to develop a vaccine for coronavirus is on. Since its outbreak in December last year, researchers and drug makers have scrambled to develop immunisations by repurposing old antivirals, utilising technology, or actioning new approaches to medicine. How close are we to developing a vaccine? How is a vaccine made? The process of …
Dermatitis
Many Australians suffer from dermatitis which is an inflammation of the skin. Although, there are different causes of dermatitis, the effect is usually the same. The most common type of atopic is eczema. It is not contagious, but it is often chronic and recurring. It can also be very painful and uncomfortable, whilst appearing red and …
How to tell if you have asthma
Asthma is very common, affecting around one in 10 Australians (that’s more than two million people) but how to tell if you have asthma? Studies have shown asthma is slightly more common in boys than girls, but after puberty, it’s more common in women than men. What is asthma? Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. During an …
How to diagnose a food allergy
A food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs between two minutes and two hours after eating food. How to diagnose a food allergy? Most food-related allergic reactions actually relate to the proteins contained within certain foods which the immune system incorrectly identifies as harmful. Common allergens include peanuts, milk, tree nuts, …