With recent spikes in the number of reported cases of Ross River virus infection in Australia (Sundstrom 2016), it is an important time to familiarise yourself with Australia’s most common mosquito-borne infection.

Knowing when antibiotics are needed, and when to consider hospital referral are important in appropriate management of skin infections.

Dengue is caused by the dengue virus, of which there are at least four genotypes. Infection gives lifelong immunity to the infecting type but not to any of the others; infection with any of which may lead to more severe disease.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a bloodborne virus that causes inflammation and damage to the liver and is a leading cause of liver cancer. An estimated 200,000-220,000 people live with chronic hepatitis C in Australia. New hepatitis C treatments are simple, safe, and highly effective.

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually develops in early childhood. It is typified by dry itchy skin and is episodic in nature, except in very severe cases. Most children with eczema will experience flares, sometimes as often as three or four times per month.

Patients sometimes present to a medical practitioner with dental pain if they cannot see a dentist. Doctors need to be aware of the common dental diseases that result in pain so they can help to manage the patient’s symptoms until they are able to see a dentist.

Hyperglycaemia is the medical condition in which a patient presents with abnormally high levels of glucose circulating in their bloodstream (Better Health Channel 2014). It is common for people not to experience the symptoms of hyperglycaemia until their blood sugar levels reach this high level.

Congenital heart disease is a term used for a variety of birth defects that affect the hearts normal function. These defects are structural problems with the heart, present at birth and can occur if any of the heart chambers, arteries, septum or valves don't develop properly before the baby is born.

When I was 19 years old I saw a woman die in slow motion. She wasn’t sick. Her lot in life wasn’t over. But she started dying anyway. I showed up one day, and she was gone.

A brief overview of vital signs and is to be used in conjunction with your organisation's policies and procedures. This article does not encompass reasons why or when to conduct a vital sign assessment - rather, it serves to be used as a summary of each vital sign.