Pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 (‘swine flu’) vaccine has been approved for use in children from 6 months of age. The vaccine has been carefully studied and shown to be safe and effective in this age group. Although the number of cases in Australia has reduced, a second wave of swine flu is expected in the next few
Each year, 31 May is World No Tobacco Day and is a good opportunity to review your smoking habit. It’s never too late to quit smoking! Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Half of all long-term smokers are killed by their habit. Most of the damage
People taking part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program who have had a negative test between 1 December 2008 and 8 May 2009 will be asked to do the test again. Free kits were sent to people for home testing when they turned 50, 55 or 65 years. However, some test kits were found
Australian research shows that 50 % of pregnant women are iodine deficient, which can affect the development of the foetal brain and lead to lower intelligence and learning difficulties. Last week (June 1–7) was Thyroid Awareness Week and is a good opportunity to consider your iodine intake. The Australian Thyroid Foundation recommends iodine supplements for all pregnant
As a result of the current whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak, free vaccine is now available for a limited time for certain adults. Many adults are susceptible to whooping cough and can pass the infection on to children. Babies less than 6 months are at high risk – around one in every 200 who catches whooping
The new shingles vaccination is recommended for all adults aged 60 and over. It can be given at the same time as your flu shot. Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. The infection is increasingly common from about the age of
The FREE swine flu vaccine (pandemic H1N1 influenza) is currently available from your doctor’s surgery. A second wave of swine flu (pandemic influenza H1N1 2009) is expected in Australia in the next few months and is likely to be more severe than last year’s epidemic. Who should be vaccinated? A single dose of the vaccine
Reflexology is a complementary therapy based on the belief that all parts of the body are represented on the foot (mostly the soles) and that internal organs can be stimulated by pressing particular areas of the foot. It is used to treat asthma, back pain, dementia, diabetes, cancer and many other conditions. An analysis of
An extract from the plant Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) is widely used to improve symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate. However, a recent Cochrane study (an analysis of all the available published scientific evidence) has found that ‘Serenoa repens was not more effective than placebo (sugar pills) for treatment of urinary symptoms consistent with
Daily low-dose aspirin reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke in people who already have cardiovascular disease, but does it help those who don’t? A recent large scientific review published in the Lancet did not find any overall benefit from the use of aspirin in people who do not already have cardiovascular disease. Most experts do
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