Respiratory Health topics
Colds and flu
Colds and flu are common respiratory infections caused by viruses. Find out everything about colds, influenza, flu vaccination, bird flu, swine flu and H1N1 viruses.
Australians miss point on swine flu vaccination
Australian take-up of free pandemic influenza (swine flu) vaccination looks set to be low, myDr survey finds.
Bird flu (avian influenza)
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infectious disease that is caused by a type of influenza virus.
Bird flu: new strain on rise in Asia
A new strain of deadly bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza) is spreading through Asia, raising fresh bird flu fears, UN warns.
Bird flu: no threat to Australia from new strain
Australia will remain free of bird flu despite the rise in Asia of a variant strain of avian influenza H5N1 virus, experts say.
Cold symptoms
Nothing will cure a cold, but the symptoms can be alleviated.
Colds and flu: rest and fluids, not antibiotics
At the start of winter, the National Prescribing Service has launched its annual campaign, `Common colds need common sense`.
Colds: commonsense not antibiotics
All you need to know about the common cold and how to relieve symptoms.
Common cold
Read about the symptoms and treatment of the common cold, a highly infectious viral infection usually lasting about a week.
Common cold treatments
The symptoms of the common cold can be relieved by a number of different non-prescription products available from your pharmacist.
Flu sufferers show up against own advice
More than half of Australians think co-workers with flu should stay at home, but 9 out of 10 go to work themselves when they have flu.
Flu vaccination
Older people, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses should consider vaccination to protect against flu.
Flu vaccine recommended to combat new strain
Health authorities are warning a new strain of flu will likely circulate this winter, and are urging at-risk groups to get vaccinated.
Influenza
Influenza is a viral infection that is commonly mistaken for the common cold. However, influenza is much more serious and debilitating.
Influenza - the flu
Influenza, usually shortened to, 'flu', is a viral infection of your nose, throat and sometimes your lungs.
Influenza cases soar this season with mix of strains
Influenza cases in 2011 are more than 5 times the level seen last year, with an increase in traditional seasonal flu viruses rather than pandemic swine flu, an expert says.
Influenza complications increase with obesity
Obese individuals are 45 per cent more likely to be hospitalised for respiratory illness compared with people of normal weight, and severely obese individuals are twice as likely, a study has found.
Influenza treatment
There are a number of different supplements and medications available from your pharmacy that can help relieve the symptoms of flu.
Influenza-related muscle pain cases no cause for alarm
Myositis (muscle inflammation) is usually a temporary complication of flu, and a cluster of cases in Melbourne is no cause for alarm, experts say.
Man flu is real
'Man flu' may be reality, with the immune response to cold viruses weaker in men than in women, a study shows.
Obesity reduces flu vaccine effectiveness
Obesity affects immunity after influenza vaccination, with rapid antibody drop off and poorer response of some blood cells, a study has found.
Swine flu - influenza A (H1N1)
Swine influenza, known as swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory virus which caused a pandemic in 2009. Find out about swine flu symptoms, treatment and vaccination.
Swine flu - protecting your family
How to protect yourself and your family from swine flu (influenza H1N1) and other influenza viruses.
Swine flu more contagious than seasonal influenza
The strain of swine flu continuing to spread around the world is more contagious than seasonal influenza, the World Health Organization warns.
Swine flu pandemic: pregnant women hit hardest
Pregnant women with swine flu were 13 times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit than were non-pregnant women during last year s H1N1 epidemic.
Swine flu resistance to medicines increasing
Swine flu strains with resistance to antiviral medicines are increasing in Australia, suggesting a new threat from the virus, experts say.
Swine flu vaccine: experts promote safety
Ongoing outbreaks of swine flu could continue through summer, and vaccination now could protect people against a resurgence of the virus in early autumn.
Swine flu: 4 out of 5 people shun vaccine
Fewer than one in 5 adults received the swine flu vaccine last year. Experts warn this uptake must double to avoid a second wave of the virus this winter.
Swine flu: chronically ill hit hardest
People who are obese and those with asthma, heart disease or diabetes are at especially high risk of developing complications from swine flu.
Working when sick bad for health and business
Working when you are sick, known as presenteeism, is bad for both health and productivity, an expert says.
Zinc supplements break grip of common cold
Zinc supplements (taken as syrup, lozenges or tablets) can reduce the length and severity of the common cold in adults and children, a Cochrane review shows.
Australian take-up of free pandemic influenza (swine flu) vaccination looks set to be low, myDr survey finds.
Bird flu (avian influenza)
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infectious disease that is caused by a type of influenza virus.
Bird flu: new strain on rise in Asia
A new strain of deadly bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza) is spreading through Asia, raising fresh bird flu fears, UN warns.
Bird flu: no threat to Australia from new strain
Australia will remain free of bird flu despite the rise in Asia of a variant strain of avian influenza H5N1 virus, experts say.
Cold symptoms
Nothing will cure a cold, but the symptoms can be alleviated.
Colds and flu: rest and fluids, not antibiotics
At the start of winter, the National Prescribing Service has launched its annual campaign, `Common colds need common sense`.
Colds: commonsense not antibiotics
All you need to know about the common cold and how to relieve symptoms.
Common cold
Read about the symptoms and treatment of the common cold, a highly infectious viral infection usually lasting about a week.
Common cold treatments
The symptoms of the common cold can be relieved by a number of different non-prescription products available from your pharmacist.
Flu sufferers show up against own advice
More than half of Australians think co-workers with flu should stay at home, but 9 out of 10 go to work themselves when they have flu.
Flu vaccination
Older people, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses should consider vaccination to protect against flu.
Flu vaccine recommended to combat new strain
Health authorities are warning a new strain of flu will likely circulate this winter, and are urging at-risk groups to get vaccinated.
Influenza
Influenza is a viral infection that is commonly mistaken for the common cold. However, influenza is much more serious and debilitating.
Influenza - the flu
Influenza, usually shortened to, 'flu', is a viral infection of your nose, throat and sometimes your lungs.
Influenza cases soar this season with mix of strains
Influenza cases in 2011 are more than 5 times the level seen last year, with an increase in traditional seasonal flu viruses rather than pandemic swine flu, an expert says.
Influenza complications increase with obesity
Obese individuals are 45 per cent more likely to be hospitalised for respiratory illness compared with people of normal weight, and severely obese individuals are twice as likely, a study has found.
Influenza treatment
There are a number of different supplements and medications available from your pharmacy that can help relieve the symptoms of flu.
Influenza-related muscle pain cases no cause for alarm
Myositis (muscle inflammation) is usually a temporary complication of flu, and a cluster of cases in Melbourne is no cause for alarm, experts say.
Man flu is real
'Man flu' may be reality, with the immune response to cold viruses weaker in men than in women, a study shows.
Obesity reduces flu vaccine effectiveness
Obesity affects immunity after influenza vaccination, with rapid antibody drop off and poorer response of some blood cells, a study has found.
Swine flu - influenza A (H1N1)
Swine influenza, known as swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory virus which caused a pandemic in 2009. Find out about swine flu symptoms, treatment and vaccination.
Swine flu - protecting your family
How to protect yourself and your family from swine flu (influenza H1N1) and other influenza viruses.
Swine flu more contagious than seasonal influenza
The strain of swine flu continuing to spread around the world is more contagious than seasonal influenza, the World Health Organization warns.
Swine flu pandemic: pregnant women hit hardest
Pregnant women with swine flu were 13 times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit than were non-pregnant women during last year s H1N1 epidemic.
Swine flu resistance to medicines increasing
Swine flu strains with resistance to antiviral medicines are increasing in Australia, suggesting a new threat from the virus, experts say.
Swine flu vaccine: experts promote safety
Ongoing outbreaks of swine flu could continue through summer, and vaccination now could protect people against a resurgence of the virus in early autumn.
Swine flu: 4 out of 5 people shun vaccine
Fewer than one in 5 adults received the swine flu vaccine last year. Experts warn this uptake must double to avoid a second wave of the virus this winter.
Swine flu: chronically ill hit hardest
People who are obese and those with asthma, heart disease or diabetes are at especially high risk of developing complications from swine flu.
Working when sick bad for health and business
Working when you are sick, known as presenteeism, is bad for both health and productivity, an expert says.
Zinc supplements break grip of common cold
Zinc supplements (taken as syrup, lozenges or tablets) can reduce the length and severity of the common cold in adults and children, a Cochrane review shows.
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