By Molly Roughley
- Viral infections
Viral infections that can be avoided by vaccines are on the rise in Australia after a long period of decline. Measles, mumps, and whooping cough (pertussis) have spread across the country, and other communicable diseases are making a comeback. Unvaccinated children are once again falling victim to tetanus, which has been found in two cases this year.
Because of erroneous information that exaggerates the dangers of vaccines, some people have chosen not to vaccinate their children or themselves. The success of earlier vaccination campaigns has caused some to overestimate the dangers of childhood diseases, however this is not universally true.
- A heart attack or stroke
The greatest cause of the death for all Australians is coronary heart disease, which occurs when the arteries leading to the heart become restricted or obstructed. A lack of knowledge of symptoms is indeed a contributing factor in people allowing a cardiac ailment to deteriorate to the point of a heart attack.
Angina, palpitations, and unexpected shortness of breath are all common symptoms (chest pain or discomfort). Only 10% of the 1 in 3 Australians with high cholesterol are aware that they have it, and 75% of those with high blood pressure don’t know it either.
- A form of cancer of the lungs
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming the lives of approximately 5,100 men and 3,700 women each year.
Smoking is responsible for 9 out of 10 incidences of lung cancer, although non-smokers can also develop the disease. About 15% of Australians smoke on a regular basis (approximately 17 percent of men and 12 percent of women).
- Diabetic type 2
According to the Australian Diabetes Prevention Program, 58 percent of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented via healthy eating and regular exercise. People with type 2 diabetes sometimes go undiagnosed for years until developing other diseases, such as a heart attack or visual difficulties, that necessitate a diagnosis.
- Infections that can only be spread through sex
The number of instances of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea per 100,000 persons has increased to over 450, while the number of cases per 100,000 youths aged 16 to 18 has increased to over 1,800. STIs are on the rise. 4 in 5 STIs are caused by Chlamydia.
Increased infection rates are partly since some patients with syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea do not exhibit any symptoms.
Safe sex is the most effective method of preventing STIs. Go to your surfer’s paradise doctor Ashmore or a sexual health clinic for regular STI tests if you (or your partner) have had several relationships.