Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
Infectious diseases
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the larger airways in your lungs, which causes an ongoing cough. Learn how to reduce the risk of bronchitis.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness, but can also occur in adults. Here’s how to help ease symptoms and discomfort.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common STI in Australia. Learn more about the prevention, testing and treatment of chlamydia, as well as contact tracing.
Colds and flu
Find out more about how to treat the cold or flu, how to avoid catching the cold or the flu and special cases in which to take extra care.
Conjunctivitis
Known as ‘pink eye’, conjunctivitis is a contagious disease that turns the whites of the eye pink. Read about symptoms and treatments here.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Health advice on COVID-19, including when to get tested or self-isolate, symptoms, how to avoid infection, physical distancing and restrictions.
Cough
Most coughs are caused by viruses which inflame the throat, windpipe or lungs. Here are some tips to relieve the symptoms.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea may last for just a few days, or it might be a sign of something more serious. Find out here about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment...
Ebola virus
Ebola is a rare and often fatal illness. Learn about the Ebola virus, who’s at risk, symptoms and treatment options.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact – even through kissing or foreplay. There are things you can do to control it, learn more here.
Gonorrhoea (the clap)
Also known as 'the clap', gonorrhoea often has no symptoms. Learn how to spot symptoms, maintain and how gonorrhoea is treated.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can lead to liver damage over time. If it turns out you have hepatitis B, it is important to protect others from infection. Find out how.
HIV infection and AIDS
Today, people with HIV are unlikely to develop AIDS if they get effective treatment. Here’s what to do if you think you might have been exposed.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters. It's very common and affects mainly children.
Lyssavirus (ABLV)
Find out about Australian bat Lyssavirus, and learn how it can be prevented if you are bitten or scratched by a bat.
Measles
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease, spread from person to person via droplets in the air. Learn about the symptoms and why vaccination is es...
Mumps
Mumps is a contagious viral infection, most common in children between 5 and 15 years. These days it’s rare thanks to effective immunisation.
Rubella (German measles)
Rubella (also known as German measles) is best prevented by the MMR vaccination. Learn more about its distinctive rash, other symptoms and treatments.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus. Here's how to recognise the symptoms and find the treatment that's best for you.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is when the hollow spaces in the bones of your face become inflamed. Sinusitis is a common symptom for colds and the flu and it can be diffi...
Sore throat (pharyngitis)
Pharyngitis is normally a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection and is common with a cold or flu. Here's how to care for a sore throat.
Staph infections
Are you at risk of a staph infection? Learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of different kinds of staph infection, and how to prevent and treat it.
Syphilis
Syphilis is relatively rare in Australia. It can cause serious health problems if left untreated. However, syphilis is easy to cure if found early.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an infection and swelling of the tonsils at the back of the throat. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a contagious bacterial infection and is most serious in babies. Here’s how to spot the symptoms and protect infants.
Tuberculosis
This highly infectious disease, which mostly affects the lungs, can be spread through coughing, sneezing, speaking or even singing.
Vomiting
Vomiting in adults is usually not a sign of anything serious and tends to only last one or two days. Learn the causes and when to seek medical advice.
Worms in humans
Signs of a threadworm infection include an itchy bottom, disturbed sleep, irritability, tiredness and a lack of interest in eating.
Notification of illness and disease
‘Notifiable’ diseases are ones where government health authorities must be notified about occurrences. Learn why this is important and about the info...
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Communicable diseases | Australian Government Department of Health
Communicable diseases are diseases that can spread from person to person. Find out what we’re doing to prevent outbreaks and monitor these diseases in Australia.
Read more on Department of Health website
Infectious diseases | SA Health
Infectious diseases in children and adults - description, treatment, prevention, symptoms, notification and control in South Australia
Read more on SA Health website
Infectious Diseases Exclusion Periods Tool - MyDr.com.au
Find out when your sick child can go back to school with our infectious diseases exclusion calculator.
Read more on myDr website
Infectious Diseases | Public Health
Notifiable diseases are those with a significance for public health and must by law be reported to the Director of Public Health
Read more on Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services website
Infectious disease testing - Lab Tests Online AU
Introduction to a series of articles developed to provide a behind the scenes look at clinical laboratories.
Read more on Lab Tests Online AU website
Herd Immunity | Immunisation Coalition
Herd Immunity makes it hard for infectious disease to spread from person to person. It occurs when a high percentage of the population is immune to an infectious disease.
Read more on Immunisation Coalition website
Information about non-vaccination | Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation | SKAI
If you choose not to vaccinate your child, they will be more likely to catch a range of infectious diseases that can be serious
Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website
Immunisations Facts | Immunisation Coalition
The simple immunisation fact is that vaccines will keep you healthy. When you skip vaccines you leave yourself and others vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Read more on Immunisation Coalition website
Malaria - Lab Tests Online AU
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites which are transferred to humans through female Anopheles mosquitos.
Read more on Lab Tests Online AU website
Infectious diseases: when can my child go back to school or child care? - MyDr.com.au
Children with certain infections need to stay away from school or child care to recover and to help stop the spread of infection. Use this guide to work out how long your child should stay away.
Read more on myDr website
Top results
Malaria: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention | Ausmed
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. At least 200 million people are infected with malaria every year, with an estimated 400,000 deaths annually.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention | Ausmed
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two species of mosquitoes that are of concern as they have the potential to spread viral infections including Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, Murray Valley encephalitis, Barmah Forest virus, Ross River virus, and chikungunya (Weeratunga et al. 2017).
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Herpes zoster vaccination in Australia: what’s available and who benefits?
A live, attenuated single-dose vaccine, that protects against both acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, is available for free to all Australians aged 70 years, and in a catch-up program for those aged 71–79 years..
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Immunisation and pregnancy who, what, when and why? | Issue 4 | Volume 40 | Australian Prescriber | Australian Prescriber
What are the benefits of recommending vaccination to pregnant women?
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Renal Failure (Acute or Acute on Chronic)
This pathway provides guidance on the imaging of adult patients with new onset or acutely worsening renal failure.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
Lower Urinary Tract Trauma
This pathway provides guidance for imaging adult trauma patients with suspected injuries to their lower urinary tract.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
Mediastinal Mass (Suspected)
This pathway provides guidance on the imaging investigation of an adult patient with a mediastinal mass.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
Breast Symptom (New)
This pathway provides guidance on the imaging of adult female patients presenting with new breast symptoms.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
Endometriosis (Suspected)
This pathway provides guidance on the investigation of adult patients with suspected endometriosis.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
Hypertension (Renovascular Cause)
This pathway provides guidance on the imaging of adult patients with suspected renovascular hypertension.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
