Scientists still rely on a set of 19th century postulates to identify disease-causing organisms but more than 100 years of research shows why we need to move on.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Infectious diseases
Displaying 1 - 20 of 199 articles
Did you forget to put the leftovers away? If it's only an hour or two, that's OK, but as the temperature drops under 60 degrees, the risk of bacterial growth – and food poisoning – increases.
Only half of Australia’s mozzies have been officially diagnosed, so how are scientists able to identify the others to help fight disease?
In the fight against cholera, new research in the DRC suggests that the rehabilitation of water networks would be more sustainable than other interventions whose effectiveness is debatable.
Chinese researcher, Jainkui He claims to have created the world's first genome-edited twins. Such action would pose unknown risks to the lives of these children and to humanity as a whole.
There have been many advances made in the prevention and treatment of pneumonia, but providing for people's basic needs can help reduce the disease burden.
Millions of bacteria live on our skin without making us sick. It's when they manage to get through that they can be dangerous – particularly if they're resistant to antibiotics.
Pandemic and bird flu viruses are more deadly than seasonal flu. Scientists may have finally discovered why.
In the event of pandemic flu, poor countries will suffer the most.
International outbreaks of the almost-forgotten disease diphtheria and pockets of low immunisation coverage put Australians at risk of catching the disease.
Most adults get two to three colds per year, while the flu is less common but more severe. Here's how to stop spreading them to others.
A scientific question fascinates experts : under which conditions can bird flu virus be transmitted to humans by aerial particles, and what will be the consequences for those who aren’t immune?
Many people think green snot means you are really sick, or that you need antibiotics. Not true. Green snot is actually a sign that our immune system is working and that we are getting better.
Fungi perform a vital role in the biological cycle, but pose an increasing danger to human health – invasive fungal infections kill three times more people than malaria.
Mosquito abundance is linked to climate and weather, and global climate change may be helping spread these dangerous carriers of disease.
The obesity epidemic, the flu epidemic, the opioid epidemic... in the 21st century, everything seems to be an "epidemic". But what does the term actually mean?
Migrants face many health problems, from mental health issues to diseases. The latest threat is scabies.
The World Health Organization has made bold progress by including many tests for non-communicable diseases on its new 'Essential Diagnostics List.'
Travel allows us to see the world – and bring foreign diseases home. Here's why spreading disease is easier than ever.
There are numerous examples of the havoc infectious diseases can play on communities that have not previously been exposed to them.
Top contributors
-
Professor in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Monash University
-
Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, UNSW
-
John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Health Science, Curtin University
-
Lyn Gilbert is a Friend of The Conversation.
Clinical Professor in Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney
-
General Practitioner, and Senior Lecturer, UNSW
-
Ian M. Mackay is a Friend of The Conversation.
Adjunct assistant professor, The University of Queensland
-
Virologist, The University of Queensland
-
Peter C. Doherty is a Friend of The Conversation.
Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
-
Prof. Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland
-
Professor and Head of Clinical Research, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, University of Sydney
-
Director, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney
-
Associate Professor, University of Sydney
-
Professor and Director of Doherty Epidemiology, University of Melbourne
-
Director, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, CSIRO
-
Professor of International Health, Burnet Institute
