colds and flu
I’ve had COVID and am constantly getting colds…
Did COVID harm my immune system? Am I now at risk of other infectious diseases? Lara Herrero from Griffith University investigates So you’ve had COVID and have now recovered. You …
Looking beyond COVID
RATs for flu exist – should we be self-testing for that too? Flu season has begun uncharacteristically early this year, and so far we’ve seen around 187,000 laboratory-confirmed cases, 1,323 hospitalisations, and …
Colds, flu and sinusitis
FIP is looking at the pharmacist role in managing URTIs A new handbook published by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in collaboration with The Clean Breathing Institute, aims to strengthen …
Antibiotics for respiratory tract infections drop by up to 69%
Restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 have seen antibiotic prescription rates plunge A new study led by a team of researchers at UNSW Sydney and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute …
COVID testing: is the sky falling?
A risk management focus emerges as the Queensland COVID testing pilot draws closer – and one pharmacy leader says new GP criticisms are simply more “Chicken Little” rhetoric Queensland Health …
Research Roundup
Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest in research news Sodium-glucose cotransporter protein-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes A large systematic review and network …
‘Clear correlation’ between lockdown, mental health
The incidence of colds and flu has dropped significantly in 2020, while mental health concerns are on the rise, new data shows Roy Morgan has interviewed more than 5,000 Australians …
Don’t undermine public health campaigns
The TGA has reminded advertisers not to produce ads that undermine public health campaigns, such as advice to stay home when sick As the cold and flu season begins in …
Why therapeutic need matters
PDL has issued a reminder of pharmacists’ obligations when supplying pseudoephedrine, citing recent cases where disciplinary action was taken In one case the pharmacist understood his obligations, but was found …
Decongestant safety unclear in kids
An Australian researcher has urged health professionals not to give decongestants to children under the age of 12 Not only do these treatments fail to alleviate cold symptoms but their …
Natural cold and flu remedies: not to be sniffed at!
Can herbal ingredients and formulas really help to shorten a cold? asks Carl Gibson Herbal cough, cold and flu products have often been developed with natural, scientific and traditionally-backed ingredients …
Clinical tips: the common cold
Consumers still need a fair bit of education around the common cold, write Esther Lau and Lisa Nissen Despite the coordinated efforts of antibiotic awareness campaigns, it feels like we …