What's That Rash?

Once you get past the initial ick-factor of toothbrush sharing, it's worth considering whether there are any actual harms.Whether we like it or not, our mouths are home to a unique microbiome.As Norman and Tegan explain, it's influenced by what we eat, who we kiss – and yes, who we might share a toothbrush with.ReferencesArmed to the Teeth—The Oral Mucosa Immunity System and MicrobiotaAssessment of Microbial Contamination of a Toothbrush Head with and without a Protective Cover: An Ex Vivo Study

There's no doubt people with coeliac disease should stay away from gluten, but what about the rest of us?There is nothing inherently harmful about gluten when it doesn’t cause you gut trouble.Norman and Tegan talk us through why a gluten-free diet is not necessarily a healthy one.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!ReferencesAvoiding gluten when you’re not a coeliac - Health ReportCoeliac disease: review of diagnosis and managementGluten-Free Diet: Gaps and Needs for a Healthier DietGluten-free diet may increase risk of arsenic, mercury exposure

Feeling yuck? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of all that gunk you're coughing up?At least one of our listeners has … and she wants to know whether there’s any benefit to spitting or swallowing…In this live episode from the World Science Festival Brisbane, Norman and Tegan take us through the answer.

It might feel like this wrinkle-busting procedure has been around forever, but it's a relatively recent cosmetic concoction.At first, it was a procedure for already aged skin. Now 20-somethings are using it to try prevent wrinkles from ever forming.Norman and Tegan unpack how we got to this point, and the do's and dont's of the procedure.References:The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a reviewBotulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles - Cochrane reviewBotulinum Toxin and Muscle Atrophy: A Wanted or Unwanted Effect

For the meat eaters still out there, you may be wondering how much is too much when it comes to your health.You will have to weigh up the benefits and the harms.Norman and Tegan take us through the recommendations, and the science to back them up.References:Health effects associated with consumption of unprocessed red meat: a Burden of Proof studyRed Meat and Processed Meat Consumption and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-AnalysisPlant-based diets and long-term health: findings from the EPIC-Oxford study

Apple cider vinegar is revered in wellness spaces for its health-giving benefits, but is there anything to it?There are claims it can aid with weight loss, boost your gut microbiome and manage blood sugar levels. Norman and Tegan explain how this salad dressing became so famous, and what the science tells us.References:Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Antibacterial apple cider vinegar eradicates methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and resistant Escherichia coliThe improvement effect of apple cider vinegar as a functional food on anthropometric indices, blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic patients: a randomized controlled clinical trialGot a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

Sometimes 24 hours doesn’t feel like nearly enough time to get everything done — those to-do lists aren't going to check themselves.Especially when you're spending around eight hours of that time in bed.Norman and Tegan assess whether it's possible to train yourself to sleep less without any of the negatives.References:Which Is More Important for Health: Sleep Quantity or Sleep Quality?Sleep in the MilitaryFamilial natural short sleep mutations reduce Alzheimer pathology in miceWhat's That Rash? on napping and Norman's nap-time tips

It's an age-old adage that youth is wasted on the young – you don't know what you’ve got until it's gone.The aches and pains that start to linger longer as you approach your 30s can feel like a rite of passage.Norman and Tegan explore why this happens, and whether it's inevitable.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!References:Does your body really start falling apart in your 30s? - ABC HealthAge changes in pain perception: A systematic-review and meta-analysis of age effects on pain and tolerance thresholdsDeclining muscle mass is part of aging, but that does not mean you are helpless to stop it

Dementia is common – more than 400,000 Australians are living with it – but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing.There are ways to lower your risk, and the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.Norman and Tegan give us the top tips needed to lower your risk of developing the illness as you get older.References:Physical and Mental Activity, Disease Susceptibility, and Risk of Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on UK BiobankAssociation of Lifespan Cognitive Reserve Indicator With Dementia Risk in the Presence of Brain PathologiesDrugs Contributing to Anticholinergic Burden and Risk of Fall or Fall-Related Injury among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Dementia and Multiple Chronic Conditions

Much has been said about the single glass of red wine. It's good for you, it’s bad for you, it's good for you again.It can be confusing to follow.Norman and Tegan take on this age-old health question — does a single glass of red wine have health boosting benefits?References: The French paradox: Lessons for other countriesModerate Wine Consumption and Health: A Narrative ReviewHealth Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate

Do you have your water bottle beside you right now? How close are you to reaching your daily water goal?It can feel like a slog sometimes to meet the recommended two lites of water a day.Norman and Tegan pour over the evidence to find out whether it's REALLY necessary to drink that much.References:Food and macronutrient intake of elite Ethiopian distance runnersStatement of the 3rd International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference

As the weather cools down, you may be noticing more people around you are dropping from cold or flu.And with COVID-19 also in the mix, it’s understandable that many are wondering how they can boost their immunity to avoid getting sick so often.Norman and Tegan take us through some of the approaches that have the evidence to back them up (and the ones that don’t).References:Nutrition and Athlete Immune Health: New Perspectives on an Old ParadigmEffect of air pollution on the human immune systemCurrent Directions in Stress and Human Immune Function

It can sometimes be tough to summon the motivation and energy to go to exercise. Well, there’s a product for that and it’s gaining popularity.Pre-workout mixtures come in powders, pills, drinks, gummies — you name it, they’ve got it.Norman and Tegan run through what they actually contain, and what the evidence says about their effectiveness…Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!References: Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements, safety implications, and performance outcomes: a brief reviewEffects of Beta-Alanine on Muscle Carnosine and Exercise Performance:A Review of the Current LiteratureCreatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021

When you get a headache, what do you reach for? Ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol?Over-the-counter painkillers can be difficult to differentiate, but they do vary, not only in their effectiveness but also in their side effects.Norman and Tegan talk us through how these drugs work, and which one might be best depending on your situation.References: Paracetamol versus ibuprofen – which works best and when?Is paracetamol effective for low back pain?The dangers of NSAIDs: Look both ways

Restless Legs Syndrome is a common condition with somewhat mysterious underpinnings…While it can be a side effect on an underlying condition, many people suffer for no known reason.Norman and Tegan take us through what we know, what we suspect and some of the treatments for those jittery legs…References:Iron and restless legs syndrome: Treatment, genetics and pathophysiologyIron-deficiency and dopaminergic treatment effects on RLS-Like behaviors of an animal model with the brain iron deficiency pattern of the restless legs syndromeThe Management of Restless Legs Syndrome:An Updated AlgorithmGot a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

Kate Middleton announced via a video message that she is undergoing treatment for cancer. The Princess of Wales has been out of the public eye since Christmas. This is the first official announcement about her condition since she revealed she would be undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January. So what What do we know about Kate's cancer diagnosis? What is the likely treatment? And, given she is relatively young, what's the message for people who do have unexpected new symptoms?What is preventative chemotherapy? What could treatment look like? What are some of the side effects of chemotherapy? How long does it take to recover from? We're answering the health questions everyone's asking on What's That Rash?

Did you know that we're evolutionarily predisposed to seek out sweet treats?Simple carbs were harder to come by in caveman times than they are today. Now, the consensus is we all need to cut down our sugar intake.One way people are doing that is by replacing their sucrose with non-sugar sweeteners.Norman and Tegan explore whether this is actually a healthy alternative.References:Sweetness and food preferenceHealth effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysisThe World Health Organisation on aspartame, and dietary guidelines

Although it’s often thought of as an adolescent affliction, acne can affect people well into adulthood.But some people seem to be immune to pimples. Why?Norman and Tegan investigate why some people are more prone to pimples than others, and what you might be able to do about it.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Racial Differences in Clinical Characteristics, Perceptions and Behaviors, and Psychosocial Impact of Adult Female AcneThe association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaSeasonal aggravation of acne in summers and the effect of temperature and humidity in a study in a tropical settingEnjoyment of watching pimple popping videos: An fMRI investigation

Some people are mosquito magnets. The blood suckers do, in fact, have their favourites. And this could pose a major health risk. After all, mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on earth. Norman and Tegan take us through the science of why some people attract more mozzies than others. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Mosquitoes use vision to associate odor plumes with thermal targetsOlfactory responses and field attraction of mosquitoes to volatiles from Limburger cheese and human foot odorComposition of Human Skin Microbiota Affects Attractiveness to Malaria Mosquitoes

What's That Rash? is coming to the World Science Festival Brisbane!Bring yourself (and your non-communicable rash) to a live podcast recording with Dr Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor. We've got two double passes to give away to the Social Science event on March 22 for those who'll be in Brisbane.Send us your questions for a chance to win. AND it's an adults-only event with mature content and coarse language, so go wild — [email protected]'re not the only ones attending. All in the Mind will also be doing a live show, and Dr Karl will be there for some Great Moments in Science!

Have you ever been told to 'listen to your body' when it comes to fitness?It makes sense. You shouldn't push through injury, or past the point of exhaustion.But how far is too far? There are now dozens of apps and hundreds of advice columns on how best to 'listen to your body'.One strategy that's rising in the ranks is adjusting your workout routine to work alongside your menstrual cycle.Norman and Tegan explore whether this kind of tech is advancing faster than the research.References:Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Exercise PerformanceThe Efects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta‑AnalysisBidirectional Interactions between the Menstrual Cycle, Exercise Training, and Macronutrient Intake in Women: A Review

The only time most of us think about wisdom teeth is when they’re causing trouble.Do they have a use beyond causing pain (and leaving you with a hefty dental bill)?Norman and Tegan talk through the history of these meddlesome molars, and what happens when you ignore them.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease‐free impacted wisdom teethPrevalence of Third Molar Agenesis: Associated Dental Anomalies in Non-Syndromic 5923 PatientsChildhood diet may contribute to impacted wisdom teeth, research shows

Let's say you're a pretty healthy person. You have a balanced diet, exercise regularly and don't have any health issues. A multivitamin can only help, right?Not necessarily. There are lots of multivitamins out there, catering to different circumstances.Norman and Tegan take us through the evidence for (and against) taking these catch-all supplements.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Should I Take a Daily Multivitamin?Dietary antioxidants and primary prevention of age related macular degeneration: systematic review and meta-analysisDietary flavanols restore hippocampal-dependent memory in older adults with lower diet quality and lower habitual flavanol consumption

Thousands of Australians see a chiropractor for relief from back pain, headaches or stiffness.There has been a level of controversy surrounding the profession since its inception in the 19th century.But looking beyond the field's storied history, where does the evidence stand now on chiropractic?Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Evidence-Based Practice and Chiropractic CareBenefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsAnatomical Sciences in Chiropractic Education: A Survey of Chiropractic Programs in AustraliaA Phase 3 Randomised Trial of Nicotinamide for Skin-Cancer Chemoprevention

There are so many weird and wonderful skin potions out there, promising to fend off or reverse the signs of ageing.But do they work? And if so, how do they work?Norman and Tegan take us through their skincare routines (and some evidence, of course).Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Genetics and skin ageing - Dermato-EndocrinologyRetinoids: Active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatmentsRole of antioxidants in the skin: Anti-ageing effects

Night terrors are distressing awakenings of intense screaming, thrashing and fear that often happen at the same time each night. They're more common in children than in adults, but they can hang around or emerge later in life. Norman takes us through his own childhood night terror, and Tegan weighs in on some of the reasons they happen in the first place. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Night Terrors: Clinical Characteristics and Personality PatternsAn evolutionary perspective on night terrors

Have you ever been chastised for eating a bowl of cereal for lunch? Or having leftovers for breakfast?There are certain foods designed 'breakfast foods' in the collective imagination: eggs, toast, cornflakes, pancakes. But the stories of how they came to earn their morning timeslot are far from science-based. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Bath Breakfast ProjectTowards an Evidence-Based Recommendation for a Balanced BreakfastBreakfast skipping and timing of lunch and dinner: Relationship with BMI and obesity

No pain, no gain — right?Well, if you're looking to build muscle, not necessarily. Chasing discomfort might even slow you down. Norman and Tegan discuss delayed-onset muscle soreness, and why it's not always indicative of a good workout. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Critical Neural Microdamage-Derived NeuroinflammationPost Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS) and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Do They Have Anything in Common?Effects of Descending Stair Walking on Health and Fitness of Elderly Obese Women“The Glorious Pain”: Attaining Pleasure and Gratification in Times of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) among Gym Goers

Because of the country's high UV levels, Australians hear a lot about the risks of sun exposure. But there are some benefits too. Sunlight enables us to produce vitamin D for strong bones and immune function. But there are other ways rays can help our health. Norman and Tegan take a look at how the right dose of sunlight can be beneficial. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: a reviewSanatoria revisited: sunlight and health

Pet allergies can range from mild to severe — from a nuisance to, occasionally, anaphylaxis. When all you've got is some itchiness and a runny nose, are you doomed to a life without a furry friend?Norman and Tegan discuss the possibility of building up a tolerance to allergens. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Dog ownership at three months of age is associated with protection against food allergySensitisation, asthma, and a modified Th2 response in children exposed to cat allergenSpecific gut microbiome signatures and the associated pro-inflammatory functions are linked to paediatric allergy and acquisition of immune tolerance

It's holiday season, and family feasts are inevitable. But is the post-feast nap also inevitable?Norman and Tegan explain why you get so tired after a big meal. And no ... it has nothing to do with being around your extended family.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report

Binaural beats are a phenomenon that happens in your brain when you listen to two different tones in each ear. There are lots of claims surrounding them — that they can trigger different brain waves and promote different states of mind. Norman and Tegan are here to unpack whether there's any evidence this musical illusion can aid with concentration. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Reverse effect of home-use binaural beats brain stimulationPilot feasibility study of binaural auditory beats for reducing symptoms of inattention in children and adolescents with ADHDBinaural beats reduce feeling of pain and discomfort during colonoscopy procedure in not-sedated patients

Caffeine is a part of many people's routines, whether it be a shot of coffee or a cup of tea. If you've ever noticed a headache creeping in when you've missed your morning cup of joe, Norman and Tegan are here to explain why. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Adenosine, caffeine, and sleep–wake regulation: state of the science and perspectivesCaffeine for headaches: Helpful or harmful?Caffeine in the management of patients with headache

Napping can be risky. Will you wake up feeling better or worse?There's no doubt that sometimes an afternoon snooze is an absolute necessity. Norman and Tegan explore what's going on when you nap, and what you can do to get the most benefit.References:Influence of mid-afternoon nap duration and sleep parameters on memory encoding, mood, processing speed, and vigilanceLifestyle mediators of associations among siestas, obesity, and metabolic healthEffects of planned cockpit rest on crew performance and alertness in long-haul operations

If you've ever been told to take a probiotic — after a course of antibiotics, or just for your general health — you may be wondering what they actually do. Well, Norman and Tegan are here to dig into the research about these over-the-counter supplements, which claim to support digestion, boost immunity and even improve mood. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Probiotics for the prevention of paediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhoea Multispecies Probiotic for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea in ChildrenA systematic review of gut microbiota composition in observational studies of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT

Consistent exercise is good for you, but does it make any difference whether you actually enjoy what you're doing?Norman and Tegan explore how fun might help you establish a work-out habit that benefits your body and your mind.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report

As the saying goes: All good things must come to an end. But don't go away, we've got something big coming!Obviously we're not talking about the pandemic — as it certainly isn't good and it certainly isn't over.We're talking about Coronacast: your little pandemic friend that (hopefully!) helped you through the scary times over the last three years.Today is Coronacast's last episode, and we're going out with a bang! What's going on with case numbers (spoiler: rising again)? Are we finally seeing the rise of a new variant? And what do we think we've learned over the last three years?BUT DON'T UNSUBSCRIBE! While Coronacast will be leaving us like OG SARS-CoV-2, Tegan and Norman aren't going anywhere. They'll be staying right here with a new show that's all about answering the health questions everyone's asking!We know good health information is hard to come by and it's impossible to know who to trust. So send in your your health questions to our new show: What's That Rash?Every week, Norman and Tegan will have a swing at answering them, and give you some useful information and amazing stories to help you live a healthier life.Email us at [email protected]. First episode out 15th November.Also, genuinely, A MASSIVE thank you to every single person whose ever listened to Coronacast and/or sent in a question over the past few years.Without you, we've never have done more than 500 episodes over more than three years. You're the reason we're here and the reason we've loved doing this show. So thankyou!

Hello Coronacasters - it's been a while! We have a little bit of news to share about what's coming up for Coronacast.Also, Tegan's here to share a very special podcast recommendation!It's a new season of Science Friction! It's called Hello AI Overlords - and it's an entire season diving deep into AI. Where's it come from? Where are we heading? And what happens if it's controlled by only a handful of people.So make sure you check it out right now! Tell all your friends. And why not tell ChatGPT too.

There's still so much to learn about COVID, and this week we have two big things about Long COVID and how long we spread the virus.Firstly, a recent study has drawn a link between hand grip strength and post Long COVID symptoms, especially when it comes to who gets it and how badly.And secondly, a study from Hong Kong has tried to nail down what's going on in a person's immune system and how that effects the duration of shedding the virus.That's on this week's Coronacast.(And please note, we're taking the next few weeks off! But we'll be back in October)

It's a question that we've been asking since the very beginning of the pandemic: when will it really end?It's easy to think that because people are vaccinated and less attention is paid to COVID, it's over. In reality more than 5000 people have died of COVID this year, and the disease burden rises every time there's a new variant.On today's Coronacast, a chat with Professor Brendan Crabb, an infectious disease expert who heads up the Burnet Institute on how he thinks the past several years have gone, and whether COVID will remain a forever virus.

The COVID pandemic brought on a whole bunch of change to nearly everyone in the world.All of a sudden people were under lockdowns, out of work, unable to see their loved ones, even fighting for their lives. But ever so steadily, things have improved. Vaccines came along and we tried to get back to normal. But for some that’s not so easy. According to a survey from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - we’re feeling less lonely than we were in the early days of the pandemic.But, sadly, it’s not all great news. That’s on this week’s Coronacast.

One of the big scary unknowns that remains with COVID is long-COVID.There are hundreds of thousands of Australians with the condition.But little bit by little bit, researchers are working out more and more about it.And in some good news - it seems that the risk of long-COVID has fallen over the last couple of years. Also, why shoving certain drugs up your nose might help avoid COVID in the first place.That’s on this week’s Coronacast

In the early days of COVID, it seemed like we were getting new variants of concern every few months.Wuhan led to Alpha then to Delta via a side trip to Beta for parts of the world.But ever since Omicron came in like a wrecking ball at the end of 2021... sure there has been a lot of new sub-variants, but no new challenger to take on the Big Boss.So could Omicron be the final variant? Are things starting to settle down? Will saying this mean a new variant is around the corner?All the big questions on this week's Coroncast.

It seems like a mere week ago that we were talking about the last new variant - because it was only a week ago.Move over Eris, there's a new variant in town: Pirola. Unlike most of the recent strains going around, this one branched off further back in the Omicron family tree. But what of the usual questions: is it better at evading immunity? Does it cause worse disease? How do I protect myself? Also, how normal is it for a virus to mutate this much? Is it really moving this quickly, or is just because we're watching it so closely? That's on this week's Coronacast.

Wherever you look, viruses are going into and coming out of animals.Mostly this happens without much fanfare, though occasionally it causes big problems.Which is why it's concerning that researchers in Europe have started to sound the alarm about fur farms in Europe and other researchers looking at pig farms have found more swine flu variants than they expected.So what's going on?References:Infection prevention and control in the context of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a living guideline, 10 August 2023Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection on multiple fur farms in the South and Central Ostrobothnia regions of Finland, July 2023The genomic landscape of swine influenza A viruses in Southeast Asia

If you think that excavating your nose is a harmless if somewhat disgusting habit - think again.A new study reckons you could emerge with COVID-19.Other studies worry about how forgetful having your fingernail so close to the brain might make you. And have you ever given thought to your nasal microbiome much less what our primate cousins get up to (hint: it's even more disgusting)?We drill deep on rhinotillexis.ReferencesRhinotillexomania: psychiatric disorder or habit?A review of nose picking in primates with new evidence of its occurrence in Daubentonia madagascariensisStaphylococcus aureus and the ecology of the nasal microbiome

We've said it before and we'll say it again - make sure you get your booster dose. But what, you ask, is in it for me? How likely am I to be the one who dodges severe disease? Well a new study has quantified this. It's a number familiar to epidemiologists - the number needed to treat to prevent a certain outcome. Also this week: where are we at with repurposing existing drugs to prevent COVID? What's happening with flu numbers? And who was Tegan's surprise fluffy office visitor?

In the early days of COVID, we used wastewater surveillance to spot undetected community transmission.Our sewage gave public health authorities early alerts that COVID was spreading.Wastewater surveillance also gives information on sub variants: what's on the rise and what's in decline.But there's other stuff in wastewater - and it's downright criminal. That's captured on today's rather smelly Coronacast.References:A common allele of HLA is associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infectionViral and antibody dynamics of acute infection with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant (B.1.529): a prospective cohort study from Shenzhen, China

A lot has been said about COVID antivirals, especially on how they might help bring down the number of deaths from the disease.But occasionally an interesting phenomenon occurs: a patient takes the antiviral drugs, feels better, only to come down with COVID again.So how do COVID antivirals work and why does the rebound sometimes happen?

It's the depths of winter, and every second person you know has a cold of some sort. Most are mild but some can hit hard - as we all know from COVID and influenza. But what about the third virus in the unholy trinity of winter bugs? RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is tracking a lot higher than usual for this time of year. Who's most at risk, how can you protect yourself, and how much do the numbers have to do with increased testing overall? Oh, and what does "syncytial" even mean?