Pandemic and bird flu viruses are more deadly than seasonal flu. Scientists may have finally discovered why.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Infectious diseases
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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.
The spread of infectious diseases such as chikungunya is closely linked to urban mobility, yet small Indian cities could play a crucial role in the resilience process.
The Victorian community is seeing a worsening epidemic of flesh-eating bacteria that causes Buruli ulcer. But how can we prevent this disease if we don't know where it comes from and how it spreads?
World TB Day will be observed March 24, with the good news that deaths from tuberculosis are declining. But a trend toward confining those with TB threatens to stall advances.
We can't eradicate TB without also addressing poverty.
Whether or not masks can protect against invading or escaping bugs depends on the type of mask and material.
Two free flu vaccines will improve protection for the over-65s. FluZone High Dose is a high-dose version; Fluad adds an additional ingredient to boost effectiveness. But neither is perfect.
When day zero arrives in Cape Town, the routine surveillance systems that monitor disease outbreaks will be enhanced to pick up new diseases.
Top contributors
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Professor in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Monash University
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Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, UNSW
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John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Health Science, Curtin University
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Lyn Gilbert is a Friend of The Conversation.
Clinical Professor in Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney
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General Practitioner, and Senior Lecturer, UNSW
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Adjunct assistant professor, The University of Queensland
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Virologist, The University of Queensland
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Peter C. Doherty is a Friend of The Conversation.
Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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Prof. Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland
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Professor and Head of Clinical Research, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, University of Sydney
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Director, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney
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Associate Professor, University of Sydney
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Professor and Director of Doherty Epidemiology, University of Melbourne
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Director, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, CSIRO
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Professor of International Health, Burnet Institute
