2025 Archives - Illawarra Medical Centre

Don’t believe all the social media hype around cortisol

walrus — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 02:03:45 +0000

Social media is currently filled with a lot talk, tips and tricks around combatting high cortisol levels, but how much merit is in this latest health and wellness trend and should you believe all the social media hype?

While cortisol can affect things like our weight, sleep, and blood pressure, a quick-fix supplement solution touted by a social media influencer isn’t the way to address any health concerns you may have around cortisol.

In this month’s blog, we take a more scientific look at cortisol’s impact on your health and how to address any issues that arise when you have too much or not enough of it.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is an essential hormone that is produced by your adrenal glands and regulated by your pituitary gland. The pituitary gland sends the signal to your adrenal glands to indicate how much cortisol it needs to produce.

It is essential to a healthy life and has a number of important functions, including helping your body to:

respond to stress or danger
increase your metabolism of glucose
control your heart rate and blood pressure
reduce inflammation
grow and develop an unborn baby

It is also the hormone that helps protect us from perceived dangers and prompts our fight or flight response to potential threats. It’s often known as the ‘stress’ hormone, as the body tends to release more cortisol into your bloodstream when you do feel stressed.

The release of cortisol can be influenced by a range of factors, including:

very warm or cold temperatures
infections
exercise
traumatic or stressful events
obesity
some health conditions

Usually your body will produce the right amount you need to keep you healthy. However, it can become a problem when your body produces either too much or too little. But how do you know if that’s the case?

Cortisol Symptoms – high and low

Too much cortisol can result in a number of both physical and emotional symptoms, including:

weight gain, particularly around the abdomen and face
thin and fragile skin that is slow to heal
acne
female facial hair and irregular menstrual periods
reduced fertility
depression and/or anxiety
mood swings
difficulty concentrating
lower sex drive

Long-term exposure to high cortisol can lead to Cushing’s disease, where cortisol levels remain high all the time.

Additional symptoms of Cushing’s disease include:

a rounded face
a hump between the shoulders
feeling tired and moody
skin problems, such as wounds being slow to heal, bruising, and stretch marks on the tummy and thighs

While Cushing’s disease is rare, around 41 Australian’s are diagnosed each year and there currently between 300-1,600 Australians living with the disease. This fact sheet from the Australian Pituitary Foundation provides a good overview of Cushing’s Disease>>

At the other end of the spectrum, too little cortisol can produce symptoms such as:

constant tiredness
nausea and vomiting
loss of appetite
weight loss
muscle weakness
abdominal pain

Low cortisol that is the result of damage to the adrenal glands can cause Addison’s disease, where sufferers experience the additional symptoms of dark patches on their skin and craving salty foods. In Australia, ~2,500 people live with the disease and ~100 people are newly diagnosed each year.

Cortisol Treatments

With high levels often resulting from stress, most treatments will be aimed at adjusting lifestyle factors to reduce your stress levels. This may include:

ensuring you are getting quality sleep
moving your body and getting regular exercise
practicing deep breathing exercises
doing something that brings you joy and makes you laugh
maintaining healthy relationships

For those with Cushing’s disease, treatment will also usually involve medication and possibly surgery.

People with Addison’s disease will need treatment with cortisone, to replace the cortisol that would normally be produced by the body naturally.

Getting a proper diagnosis

If you do have any symptoms of high or low cortisol, the most important thing to do is get a proper medical diagnosis – not potentially dangerous advice from the unregulated world of social media.

A proper medical diagnosis can confirm if there is an issues with your cortisol levels or if there may be something else causing your symptoms.

The first step for a diagnosis will be a blood test to measure your levels. As these will change throughout the day, you may need to have several blood tests at different times, to get a proper indication of exactly what is going on with your cortisol.

You may need to have additional blood tests, as well as saliva and urine tests, if your doctor suspects you have either Cushing’s or Addison’s disease.

If you are experiencing any symptoms or have any concerns about your health in general, please see your GP. To make an appointment at IMC, simply book online or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

ABC News Article, Why are so many people on TikTok trying to reduce their cortisol levels? – https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-06/cortisol-content-is-everywhere-so-why-is-that-a-problem/102812244?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=mail
Ausmed – https://www.ausmed.com.au/learn/articles/cortisol-production-use-body
Better Health Direct – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/Hormones-cortisol-and-corticosteroids
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/the-role-of-cortisol-in-the-body
Hormones Australia – https://www.hormones-australia.org.au
The Society of Endocrinology – https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/cortisol/
University of Wollongong, Australia – https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2023/no-you-cant-blame-all-your-health-issues-on-high-cortisol-heres-how-the-hormoneworks.php

The post Don’t believe all the social media hype around cortisol appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Australia helping lead the charge to eliminate cervical cancer

walrus — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 04:57:53 +0000

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. In Australia, around 800 women are diagnosed annually.

The World Health Organization has put a strategy in place to help eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem globally. Australia is at the forefront of this fight and has one of the lowest rates of the disease in the world.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at cervical cancer and how Australia is helping lead the charge to eliminate the disease.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the cervix.

The cervix forms part of the female reproductive system and functions to help produce moisture to lubricate the vagina and mucus to help sperm travel to the fallopian tube. It also serves to hold a developing baby in the uterus during pregnancy. During childbirth, it widens to allow the baby to pass down into the birth canal.

There are two types of cervical cancer, which are named after the type of cells that they originate from:

Squamous cell carcinoma – the most common type of cervical cancer, accounting for up to 90% of all cases.
Adenocarcinoma – less common and originating from the glandular cells. It generally starts higher in the cervix, making it more difficult to detect.

The good news is that cervical cancer can be cured if it is diagnosed early and treated straight away.

Symptoms

Precancerous changes in cervical cells rarely cause symptoms. However, once these cell changes develop into cervical cancer, common early symptoms will include:

unexpected vaginal bleeding – such as between periods, after menopause, or after sex
heavier and longer periods than normal
unusual vaginal discharge
pain in the pelvis region
pain during sex

Once cervical cancer becomes more advanced, people may also experience fatigue, leg pain or swelling, and lower back pain.

Risk Factors

Most cases of cervical cancer occur after an infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common and affects both males and females, with 4 out of 5 people experiencing the virus at some stage in their lives. It is usually passed on during sexual contact.

Most people who get HPV will have no symptoms or implications form the virus. However, for others, it can cause changes in the cervix over time and lead to cancer.

Other risk factors for cervical cancer include:

smoking and passive smoking
a weakened immune system
if your mother was prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES) – an artificial form of the female hormone oestrogen often given during pregnancy between 1939 and 1971.

Treatment for cervical cancer will depend on the stage at which the disease is at and may include surgery, a cone biopsy, hysterectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or palliative care.

Australia’s approach to eliminating cervical cancer

Australia has one of the lowest rates of the disease in the world, thanks to proactive health strategies aimed at eliminating the disease.

In 1991, Australia first introduced its National Cervical Screening Program, which offered a free pap smear test every two years to women aged 18 to 70. In 2017, the pap smear test was replaced with the new Cervical Screening Test. Now women aged 25-74 are tested every five years for the presence of HPV, which is the main cause of cervical cancer.

Since 2022, cervical screening participants have been given the option to screen using either a self-collected vaginal sample or a clinician-collected sample. Both of these options are accessed through a healthcare provider.

In conjunction with the Cervical Screening Program, the Australian Government also introduced the free National HPV Vaccination Program in 2007 for girls, in a bid to reduce HPV-related cancers in Australia.

From 2013, boys were included in the program to reduce rates of penile and anal cancers in men, which can also result from persistent HPV infection.

Almost all Australian schools currently participate in the program, which sees the HPV Gardasil^®9 vaccine offered to girls and boys in Year 8 through the National Immunisation Program. The vaccine is targeted specifically to this age group, as it has proved to be most effective before people become sexually active.

Australia’s approach to eliminating cervical cancer is having a positive impact, with a recent report from Australia’s NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control highlighting that 75% of eligible women are up-to-date with cervical screening and have had a HPV test within five years. This means that Australia is well on its way to meeting the World Health Organization’s 2030 target for cervical screening of 70% of women screened a minimum of twice in a lifetime by 2030.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare notes that cervical cancer incidence rates have also noticeably decreased since the introduction of the vaccine program. Incidence rates have fallen from 9.3 cases per 100,000 females in 2013 to an estimated 0.5 in 2025. In addition, age-standardised mortality rates for cervical cancer decreased from 3.2 deaths per 100,000 females in 2000 to an estimated 1.8 deaths in 2025.

This vaccination program, combined with the National Cancer Screening Program, is significantly helping to reduce the risk of cervical cancer across Australia.

It’s important to remember, however, that you still need to undertake regular cervical screenings to protect yourself against cervical cancer, even if you have had the HPV vaccine.

At Illawarra Medical Centre, we are able to offer our patients both cervical screenings and immunisation for all vaccinations that form part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule, including the HPV vaccine.

To make an appointment with us, simply book online or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation – https://accf.org.au/
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aging – https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-cervical-screening-program?language=en
Cancer Australia – https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/cervical-cancer
Cancer Council – https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/cervical-cancer
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cervical-cancer
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Cervical-screening
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health – https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/ovaries-uterus/gynaecological-cancers-ovaries-and-uterus/cervical-cancer
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer

The post Australia helping lead the charge to eliminate cervical cancer appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Hay fever – it’s nothing to sneeze at!

walrus — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 03:21:24 +0000

Springtime not only brings out the sun and beautiful blooms, but allergies too!

Hay fever is the most common allergic disorder in Australia, affecting one in five people. Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds is one of the main triggers for seasonal allergies at this time of year.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at hay fever and the symptoms, prevention and treatments available.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, occurs when a person comes into contact with environmental allergens that they have a sensitivity to. It can be caused by a number of triggers, the most common being pollens, dust mites, mould, and animal dander.

When these allergen particles get trapped in the nose – which acts as a natural filter – the immune system responds by triggering an allergic reaction and will try to protect the body by allowing the nasal passages to become inflamed and produce more mucus.

This video from the National Allergy Council gives a good overview of hay fever – https://youtu.be/SWSH8eDhp_I?si=RRRAJOhFXQuIvApp

Grass pollen is the main outdoor allergen during spring and early summer; and with Western Australia experiencing above average rainfall over winter, some reports have suggested that hay fever season will be longer and more severe for sufferers this year.

Symptoms

Some of the more immediate signs and symptoms of hay fever include:

Runny, itchy or congested nose
Sneezing
Itchy, watery eyes
Snoring

Mild to moderate symptoms tend not to affect a person’s day-to-day functioning too badly.

However, more severe symptoms can have a greater impact on one’s quality of life, including through:

Sleep disturbance
Daytime tiredness
Headaches
Poor concentration
Recurrent ear infections in children or sinus infections in adults
Greater difficulty controlling asthma

Those with grass pollen allergies are also at greater risk of thunderstorm asthma, which can occur even if you have never had asthma before.

Thunderstorm asthma occurs when rain droplets crash into airborne pollen and break the pollen grains into tiny particles. These particles can then get further and deeper inside your lungs than larger pollen grains and rapidly trigger asthma symptoms.

There have been a number of these events in Australia in recent years, including one in 2024 in Albury Wodonga, which saw over 100 people presenting to local hospital emergency departments, and the world’s largest recorded event in Melbourne in 2016, which saw 10 deaths and a 672% increase in the number of people presenting to emergency departments with respiratory related complications.

Prevention

The best prevention for hay fever is trying to avoid the allergens that trigger your allergies as much as possible.

For those who react to pollen, you can reduce your exposure by:

Staying indoors as much as possible during pollen season, particularly when it is windy or thunderstorms are forecast.
Avoid activities that trigger your symptoms, such as mowing grass and weeding.
Shower immediately after activities where you may have had a high exposure to pollen.
Keep the windows in your house and car closed and use recirculating air conditioning in the car.
Avoid hanging your clothes or bed linen outside to dry, if possible.

If you have a dust mite allergy, try:

Washing your bed linen in hot water once a week.
Using dust mite resistant covers on your mattress, pillows and bedding.
Removing sheepskins, woollen underlays and soft toys from your bed and bedroom.
Using a damp cloth to dust surfaces in your house once a week.

Those with mould allergies should:

Remove any visible mould by cleaning with bleach or other mould reduction cleaners.
Ensure adequate natural ventilation, including extractor fans.
Avoid working with garden compost and mulch.

For those with allergies from animal dander, try and keep your pets out of your bedroom and preferably outside, if possible.

The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website offers a range of strategies to help you prevent hay fever.

AirHealth monitors daily pollen levels from 1 October to 31 December and provides forecasts to help people better prepare and manage their hay fever. You can track local pollen levels and forecasts through their website at – https://www.perthpollen.com.au/

Treatments

There are a number of over-the-counter medications available to help treat hay fever symptoms, including:

Intranasal corticosteroid sprays – these contain low dose steroids and are safe for long-term use.
Antihistamines – these are effective in relieving symptoms and are available without prescription from a pharmacy.
Saline nasal sprays – to help clear nasal decongestion.
Decongestant nasal sprays or tablets – these should only be used for a maximum of 5 days. Pregnant women and those with high blood pressure should not use decongestants at all.

If your symptoms persist, or are having a negative impact on your day-to-day activities, you should discuss additional treatment options with your general practitioner. They may recommend a referral to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist for further assessment and allergy testing.

Allergen immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy is another long-term treatment option for hay fever sufferers. It involves desensitisation by gradually increasing exposure to a known allergen by injection or sublingual drops or tablets. Treatment is usually undertaken for 3 to 5 years and is available to those aged 5 and over.

Illawarra Medical Centre offers allergen immunotherapy to patients suffering from allergies caused by grass pollen and house dust mites.

This treatment is best for those suffering with moderate to severe hay fever who find that:

it impacts their quality of life;
symptoms aren’t adequately controlled by symptomatic medication and allergen avoidance measures;
they experience side effects to existing medication; and/or
they would prefer not to use ongoing medication to treat allergies.

Treatments Available at Illawarra Medical Centre

We use Oralair® – the first registered temperate grass sub-lingual immunotherapy tablet in Australia and New Zealand – to treat grass pollen allergies.

For house dust mite allergies, we use Actair® – the first registered immunotherapy tablet for treatment of house dust mite allergies in Australia.

To make an allergy appointment with one of our GPs, contact our Reception on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia – https://allergyfacts.org.au/__interest/allergic-rhinitis/
Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ascia) – https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/allergic-rhinitis
Better Health Victoria – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hay-fever
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Hay-fever-allergic-rhinitis
National Allergy Council – https://nationalallergycouncil.org.au/resources-links/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever/animations
National Asthma Council Australia – https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/patients-carers/factsheets/pollen-a-trigger-for-hay-fever

The post Hay fever – it’s nothing to sneeze at! appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Women’s Heart Health

walrus — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 05:42:21 +0000

While cardiovascular disease (CVD) has traditionally been a focus for men’s health, there is growing recognition of heart health as a serious health issue for women – it may just present or be experienced in different ways.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at CVD and the specific risk factors, presentation, treatment and outcomes for women.

What is CVD?

Cardiovascular disease refers to a group of conditions related to the cardiovascular system, which comprises the heart and all the blood vessels that pump and move blood around the body.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and include:

Coronary Heart Disease – either angina or heart attack (acute myocardial infarction)
Stroke – either caused by a blockage with a blood clot (called an ischaemic stroke) or the rupturing of a blood vessel and bleeding (called a haemorrhagic stroke)
Peripheral Vascular Disease – obstruction of the large blood vessels that supply blood to the arms and legs.
Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease – caused by an untreated infection with group A streptococcus bacteria
Congenital Heart Disease – inherited conditions that affect the structure (such as valves) of the heart.

The biggest cause of deaths from cardiovascular disease is the progressive blocking of blood vessels leading to coronary heart disease and stroke.

CVD stats for women

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 19.8 million people died from CVD in 2022, which represents ~32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.

In Australia, 10 women die every day from a heart attack, and a further 22 women die every day of heart disease. In fact, women die of heart disease at three times the rate of breast cancer.

Indigenous women are up to twice as likely to have CVD, and to die from coronary heart disease or stroke.

The risk of heart problems increases significantly for women once they reach menopause. This is because of the drop in oestrogen levels, which help protect women from heart disease by supporting the flexibility of the blood vessels and arteries enabling them to adjust to support blood flow.

The drop in oestrogen in menopause can also lead to a number of other factors that increase a women’s risk of CVD, including:

higher blood pressure
higher total cholesterol
higher ‘bad’ cholesterol
lower ‘good’ cholesterol
higher blood fats such as triglycerides
excess weight gain, particularly around the stomach

Some studies have suggested that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may help reduce the risk of CVD for some women.

Symptoms

Studies on cardiovascular disease have traditionally focused on men. As a result, women are often diagnosed and treated for CVD based on research findings about men. What we now know, however, is that the symptoms, risk factors and overall experience of CVD can be quite different for women.

Women tend to develop symptoms at a much later stage of the illness. They are also less likely to experience chest pain and may instead experience other symptoms, including:

discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdomen
breathlessness and a general feeling of unwellness
pain, tightness or discomfort in one or both arms
nausea or vomiting
heartburn or indigestion
sweating
light-headedness or dizziness
unusual fatigue

Women are also more likely to have heart attack symptoms when resting, or even when asleep, compared to men.

Prevention

While some risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as age, menopause, and family history, can’t be changed, the majority of risk factors are able to be managed to support good heart health.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the main key to reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This includes:

Avoiding smoking – smoking is a major risk factor, with nicotine directly narrowing your blood vessels.
Eating healthy foods – eat a balanced and nutritious diet, avoid processed foods, drink plenty of water, and limit alcohol.
Exercising and moving more – aim for physical activity at least 5 or more days each week.
Maintaining a healthy weight – exercising and eating healthy food will make this easier.
Getting a good night’s sleep – aim for at least 6 hours of sleep each night to help keep you healthy and well-rested.
Managing stress – long-term stress can damage the arteries and worsen other risk factors for CVD. Stress can affect women’s hearts more than men’s, so make sure you take time for self-care and address any issues that are causing you stress.

It’s also important to get regular health checks, including your blood pressure and cholesterol, to look for early signs of conditions that can increase your risk of CVD – particularly if you have a family history of heart disease.

Heart health checks at IMC

Got a health question or concern about your heart health? Book in for a heart health check with us today.

A heart health check will assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke over the next five years.

To make an appointment, contact us on (08) 9208 6400 or book online.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/heart-stroke-vascular-diseases/cardiovascular-disease-in-women-main/summary
Better Health Victoria – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/heart-disease-and-stroke
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.health.wa.gov.au/Health-conditions/Heart-health-cardiovascular
Heart Foundation – https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/heart-conditions-in-women
Heart Research Australia – https://www.heartresearch.com.au/heart-disease/women-and-heart-disease/
Heart Research Institute – https://www.hri.org.au/health/learn/cardiovascular-disease/women-and-heart-disease
Jean Hailes – https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/womens-health-week/whats-on/heart-smart
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – https://www.victorchang.edu.au/heart-disease/women
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)

The post Women’s Heart Health appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Rabies cases on the rise in Bali

walrus — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:05:41 +0000

While Bali is known as a favourite travel destination for Western Australians, it’s also becoming increasingly known as a rabies hotspot, with more than 39,000 bite incidents recorded in 2024 and cases continuing to rise in 2025.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at rabies and how you can best protect yourself when travelling to Bali and other locations where this deadly disease is present.

What is rabies?

Rabies is an infection that affects your brain and central nervous system. It’s caused by a virus called a lyssavirus.

Humans can get rabies from bites or scratches from infected animals and through contact with the virus through the eyes, mouth, or nose.

While there are many animals that can carry rabies, including bats, monkeys and foxes, the majority of rabies in humans comes through bites from dogs.

Australia is one of the few countries in the world that does not have rabies; however, many popular destinations for Australian tourists do – including Bali.

Bali’s rise in rabies

In 2024, Bali recorded more than 39,000 bite incidents in people who had been bitten by rabies-carrying animals, with an additional 8,800 bite incidents and at least six human deaths recorded up to in 2025 (up to March).

As a result of this increase in rabies infections, Bali Health Authorities recently declared red zones in several locations, including the popular tourist areas of Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and Jimbara, as well as the Mengwi District which covers Canggu’s Pererenan Beach.

Symptoms

Rabies symptoms may start with a fever, sore throat, vomiting and headaches before progressing to more pronounced symptoms, including:

a changed mental state, agitation or hyperactivity
tremors
hydrophobia (fear of water)
aerophobia (fear of air)
dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
too much saliva in your mouth
enlarged pupils

Rabies symptoms can appear from one week to a year after exposure, but will usually appear 2 to 3 months after contact with the virus. As the incubation period for rabies can be long, it’s important to seek advice and get immunised against rabies after even a minor scratch or bite, to prevent the disease from developing.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is 100 percent fatal, so it’s important to get yourself treated as soon as you have been exposed to a potentially infected animal.

Treatment

Immediate treatment following a bite or scratch from an animal can help stop the infection from developing and becoming fatal.

If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal while overseas, you should:

wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes straight away
after washing, use an iodine-containing medicine or anti-viral medicine
do not cover the wound
see a doctor as soon as you can — even if you’ve had the rabies vaccine

The doctor may recommend treatment to reduce the risk of infection, including a combination of multiple doses of rabies vaccine given over a month and an injection of rabies immunoglobulin.

It’s important to note that in some locations (including Indonesia), rabies treatment can be limited and you may need to return to Australia or travel to another country for immediate treatment.

How to protect yourself when travelling

Of course, the best way to protect yourself from rabies is to get vaccinated before you head to any destination where rabies is present.

When you are travelling, you can further reduce your risk by following a few simple measures:

Do not get close to animals — this is especially important for children.
Do not touch stray dogs or cats.
Do not allow children to feed, pat or play with animals.
Do not carry food, and do not feed or pat monkeys. Try not to look at monkeys that have babies, as they may feel threatened and bite suddenly.
Do not touch bats anywhere in the world, including Australia.
Know what to do if you get an animal bite or scratch.

Travel health at IMC

Got a health question or concern about your upcoming or recent travels?

As a member of the Travel Medicine Alliance (TMA), we provide a range of travel health services including:

Travel vaccinations, of which we carry the full range of travel vaccines at our practice. This includes vaccines for rabies, measles, hepatitis A & B, yellow fever, malaria, tetanus, cholera and influenza.
Comprehensive consultations on your travel plans and health requirements, including recommended vaccinations and boosters for your travel destination.
Follow up advice and treatment of rabies and any other illnesses you may have obtained while travelling overseas.
Visa application health checks.
Travel medical kits.

Find out more on our Travel Health page.

To make an appointment at Illawarra Medical Centre to discuss any travel health plans or concerns, contact us on (08) 9208 6400 or book online.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Department of Health, WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Rabies-and-lyssavirus
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/rabies
news.com.au – https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/rabies-infections-surge-in-bali-prompting-warning-for-aussie-travellers-to-get-vaccinated/news-story/e3311e4833898f34e7fbbaa02454cbc5
Perth Now – https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/rabies-warning-for-tourists-heading-to-bali-as-authorities-increase-vaccination-rates-c-19436132
Smarttraveller – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/health-topics/rabies

The post Rabies cases on the rise in Bali appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Kidney disease – a silent killer

walrus — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:45:58 +0000

In light of the recent Kidney Action Week (1-7 July), this month’s blog takes a look at kidney disease.

Known as a silent killer, there are often no symptoms of the disease and people can lose up to 90 percent of kidney function before any symptoms appear.

In Australia, 12 percent of deaths are kidney related and 3 out of 4 Australians are at risk of developing kidney disease.

What do kidneys actually do?

These bean-shaped organs play a vital role and are one of the hardest working organs in our bodies. Most people are born with two kidneys, that sit in your abdomen below the ribs at the back. They are around the size of your fist and weigh around 150 grams each.

Their primary purpose is to filter out waste products, excess water, and other impurities from your blood and turn these into urine.

They also help to keep your blood pressure regular and manage the body’s production of Vitamin D, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones and producing red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body.

Our kidneys clean around 200 litres of blood per day, with your entire blood supply cycling through your kidneys at a rate of around 12 times per hour!

What causes kidney disease?

When your kidneys don’t function as well as they should, waste gradually builds up in your body and can result in kidney disease.

Kidney disease impacts 1.7 million Australians each year. It mostly occurs gradually, over several years, and is often undetected in the early stages.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Chronic Kidney Disease (CDK) contributed to around 22,000 deaths in Australia in 2022, with the number of deaths related to CDK more than doubling since 2000.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

While symptoms of the disease are often rare, there are some noticeable signs of reduced kidney function. These include:

High blood pressure
Changes in the amount and number of times urine is passed
Changes in the appearance of your urine (for example, frothy or foaming urine)
Blood in your urine
Puffiness in your legs, ankles, or around your eyes
Pain in your kidney area
Tiredness
Loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Headaches
Lack of concentration
Itching
Shortness of breath
Nausea and vomiting
Bad breath and a metallic taste in your mouth
Muscle cramps
Pins and needles in your fingers and toes

Risk factors of kidney disease

There are a number of other factors that can also increase your risk. These include:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Established heart problems (including heart failure, heart attack or stroke)
A family history of kidney disease or kidney failure
Obesity
Smoking
Being aged 60 years or older
Being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin
A history of acute kidney injury

Kidney Health Australia has developed this quick and easy test to help you see if you are at risk of developing kidney disease – Kidney Risk Test>>

If you experience any of the symptoms or risk factors outlined above, or you are concerned about your kidney health, see your GP sooner, rather than later. When detected early, changes to lifestyle, diet and medication can be implemented to help prevent any further damage.

Kidney health check

If kidney disease is suspected, your doctor will undertake a Kidney Health Check involving the following tests:

Blood test – to see how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.
Urine test – to check for albumin (a type of protein) or blood in your urine.
Blood pressure test – because high blood pressure and kidney disease are related.

If you have any risk factors, it is recommended you get a Kidney Health Check every 1-2 years.

Treatment

In the early stages of the disease, treatment will involve changes to diet and medication, to help increase the life of your kidneys.

When kidney function is reduced to less than 10 percent, treatment will most likely involve dialysis. Dialysis helps to remove waste products and extra water from the blood by filtering it through a special membrane, or fine filter, and can be performed at home.

In some cases, a kidney transplant may be required, although not everyone is suitable for a transplant. A transplanted kidney will require a lifetime of ongoing management and care.

The survival rate following a kidney transplant is high, with 97 percent of recipients from deceased donors still alive after one year, and 90 percent alive at five years. The survival rate following a kidney transplant from a living donor is even higher, with a survival rate of 99 percent at one year, and 96 percent at five years.

Preventing kidney disease

There are a number of simple ways to help keep your kidneys healthy, including:

Eat well – include lots of fruits, vegetables, and grain-based foods in your diet and stick to lean meats.
Limit the amount of salt and fatty foods you consume.
Avoid smoking – people who smoke are three times more likely to have reduced kidney function.
Keep up with regular exercise and be active most days of the week.
Minimise long periods of time sitting.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding soft drinks and fruit juice.
Minimise alcohol and limit your intake to less than two standard drinks per day. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of kidney disease.
Get your blood pressure checked regularly and take your blood pressure medication, as prescribed.
Minimise stress – do things that help you to relax and reduce your stress levels.

Concerned about kidney health?

If you are concerned about your kidney health, book in with one of our GPs to discuss your concerns. Appointments can be made online or by contacting us directly on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – https://www.health.gov.au/topics/chronic-conditions/what-were-doing-about-chronic-conditions/what-were-doing-about-kidney-disease
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease/contents/summary
Better Health Victoria – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/kidney-disease
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/kidney-failure
Kidney Health Australia – https://kidney.org.au/

The post Kidney disease – a silent killer appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Use your head when it comes to concussion

walrus — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:25:27 +0000

Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is shaken or jolted inside the skull.

It is estimated that more than 180,000 concussions are experienced in Australia each year and around 30 percent of those with concussion will go on to experience ongoing, debilitating symptoms that affect their health, lifestyle, and work.

In the past, concussion was seen as a relatively harmless, short-term injury. However, with growing understanding and awareness about its short and long-term impacts, we are now seeing improved recognition and management of the condition.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the causes, symptoms and management of concussion.

What is concussion?

A concussion is a short-term brain injury resulting from a force to the head, neck or body that causes the brain to move within the skull and results in chemical changes and damage to brain cells.

It can be caused by:

Falls – particularly common in older adults and young children.
Sports-related injuries – common in contact sports, such as Australia Rules Football (AFL), boxing, rugby, soccer, and touch football; as well as cycling, wheeled motor sports, and equestrian.
Transport accidents – from head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or window etc.
Violence and assault – including domestic violence.
Blast injury or other occupational hazards

According to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the majority of concussion presentations to hospitals were a result of a fall (51%), followed by transport accidents (24%), and assault (11%), with one in five (or 22%) of all hospitalised concussion cases having occurred while participating in sport or physical activity.

What is concussion?

A concussion is a short-term brain injury resulting from a force to the head, neck or body that causes the brain to move within the skull and results in chemical changes and damage to brain cells.

It can be caused by:

Falls – particularly common in older adults and young children.
Sports-related injuries – common in contact sports, such as Australia Rules Football (AFL), boxing, rugby, soccer, and touch football; as well as cycling, wheeled motor sports, and equestrian.
Transport accidents – from head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or window etc.
Violence and assault – including domestic violence.
Blast injury or other occupational hazards

Signs and Symptoms

In the past, concussion was seen as a relatively harmless, short-term injury that was associated with fast recovery, under-reporting and a lack of understanding about potential long-term impacts.

In fact, in previous generations, it was often thought that if you weren’t knocked out cold, then you weren’t concussed! However, we now know that concussion can occur without a complete loss of consciousness and symptoms can vary greatly.

Some symptoms may show up immediately, while others may present in the days, weeks, or even months following a knock to the body or head.

The most common symptoms include:

Headache or pressure in the head
Dizziness or balance problems
Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light or noise
Confusion or memory problems
Fatigue or drowsiness
Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression

The Australian CTE Biobank and Macquarie University, in partnership with Sydney FC, have developed this useful ‘Big 5’ initiative to help those involved with sport better identify concussion following a head knock during games.

It encourages people to look out for:

Slump – lying motionless, unconscious or knocked out.
Sway – appearing wobbly, unsteady or falling over.
Slow – walking slowly, wandering or delayed movements.
Stun – confused, appearing stunned or behaving unusually.
Slur – slurred speech, slow speech, or responding poorly.

Some concussion symptoms can indicate a more severe and life-threatening brain injury, so it’s important to seek emergency care if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Neck pain or tenderness
Seizure or convulsion
Double vision
Loss of consciousness
Weakness or burning/tingling in more than one arm or in the legs
Deteriorating conscious state
Vomiting
Severe or increasing headache
Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
Visible deformity of the skull

While most people will recover fully within a couple of weeks, children can take a little longer to recover from a concussion and there may be some people who experience ongoing symptoms for weeks or months after the initial injury.

Long-term impacts of concussion

With a better understanding and more research into concussion these days, there is also growing evidence to suggest that repeated impacts to the head, neck or body can result in a number of debilitating long-term conditions

This includes:

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – a degenerative brain disease that affects thinking, mood and behaviour, and interferes with day-to-day life.
Cognitive impairment – causing problems with memory, attention, and executive function.
Mood disorders – including depression and anxiety.

These can result in people who have had repeated head impacts, even without concussion.

In recent years, we’ve also seen a number of high-profile sports people having to retire early from their professional careers as a result of ongoing issues from repeated concussion, including Australian cricketer, Will Pucovski; AFL players Nathan Murphy and Angus Brayshaw; and NRL players Dale Finucane, Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Andrew Davey.

Prevention

While head injuries can’t always be prevented, there are ways to reduce your risk, including:

Wear a seat belt whenever you’re travelling in a car.
Secure your children in age-appropriate safety seats – check with your State Government for more information.
Reduce the risk of falls – avoid standing on unstable surfaces, remove or secure small area rugs, improve lighting, and install handrails.
Follow the rules of your sport – many sports have banned certain tackles or developed techniques and rules to reduce head injuries at all levels of play.
Take time to recover from injuries – don’t return to work or school too quickly, or rush back to playing sports before you are fully recovered.
Exercise regularly – to strengthen your leg and core muscles to improve your balance.

Treatment

While treatment and management of concussion will depend on its severity, it is important for anyone with concussion to rest for the first 24-48 hours, in order to give your brain a chance to heal.

It is also suggested that you:

Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery
Don’t drink alcohol
Limit screen time
Take time off work or school
Continue to do gentle exercise, such as walking
Get assessed by a doctor, to ensure there is no bleeding, fluid or pressure on the brain, or any spinal injury.

Even if you are feeling fine and normal after a concussion, you will need to avoid participating in sports and rigorous activities for a few weeks and should only return to these after you’ve been given the ok by your doctor.

Returning to activities too soon can put you at risk of additional injuries that exacerbate any existing inflammation and lead to a longer recovery and ongoing long-term impacts.

If you have any concerns or show any signs and symptoms of concussion, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. Bookings at Illawarra Medical Centre can be made online (insert link) or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/concussions
Australian Sports Commission – https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/
Brain Foundation – https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/concussion/
Connectivity – https://www.connectivity.org.au/symptoms-and-care/what-is-mild-tbi-or-concussion/
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/concussion
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Concussion
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) – https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/guidelines-by-topic/view-all-guidelines-by-topic/trauma-and-injury/anz-concussion-guidelines
Synapse – https://synapse.org.au/fact-sheet/concussion-mild-tbi/

The post Use your head when it comes to concussion appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Hypertension

walrus — Tue, 20 May 2025 06:43:20 +0000

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the number one risk factor for death globally and affects more than 1 billion people. In Australia, around one in four adults live with high blood pressure, and more men are affected than women.

It is a major preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at hypertension and how it can best be managed and prevented.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension occurs when your blood pressure increases to unhealthy levels.

Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers:

Systolic Blood Pressure – this is the larger number and indicates the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps blood during each beat.
Diastolic Blood Pressure – this is the lower number and indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat.

Blood pressure will naturally change throughout the day, depending on what you are doing, and what is considered a normal and healthy blood pressure will vary from person to person.

However, hypertension is usually indicated when your blood pressure reading is at 140/90 mmHg and above.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for:

heart disease
heart attack
chronic kidney disease
stroke
heart failure
vascular dementia

This video from the Heart Foundation provides a good overview of the impact of blood pressure on heart disease>>

Symptoms

One of the biggest challenges with hypertension is that there can often be no signs or symptoms. People can feel perfectly healthy and may not even realise they have high blood pressure until they experience a related disease, such as heart failure or stroke.

The only way to find out for certain is to have your blood pressure regularly checked by your doctor.

Risk Factors

While there are no obvious signs or symptoms of hypertension, there are a number of well-known risk factors. These include:

Family history of hypertension
Poor eating patterns (including a lot of processed and salty foods)
Drinking alcohol
Smoking
Being overweight or obese
Low physical activity and exercise levels

Preventing Hypertension

One of the best ways to prevent hypertension is to make sure you have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor. It is recommended that Australian adults have their blood pressure checked at least every two years.

Reducing your modifiable risk factors is another simple way in which to prevent hypertension. This includes:

Eating a healthy diet – one that avoids processed foods and includes a variety of wholegrains and fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
Reducing salt intake – limited to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of <5mg (or one teaspoon) a day.
Limiting alcohol intake – alcohol consumption, in any amount, is associated with an increase in blood pressure. If you regularly drink alcohol, reducing your intake by even one drink per day may help to reduce your blood pressure.
Quit smoking – both traditional and e-cigarettes can increase your blood pressure. Reducing or quitting smoking will not only improve your blood pressure, but your overall health.
Getting a good night’s sleep – aim for between seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

As well as:

Regular exercise – including the recommended 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity five or more days per week and muscle-strengthening activities at least two days each week.
Maintaining a healthy weight – with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
Reducing and/or managing stress levels and looking after your mental health – depression, anxiety and social isolation can all impact on your blood pressure, so looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension, you may need to take medication in addition to lifestyle changes to help you manage the disease. The most common blood pressure medicines include:

ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin receptor blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Beta blockers
Diuretics

If you have any concerns about your blood pressure, heart health, or general health, make an appointment with one of our doctors at Illawarra Medical Centre. Bookings can be made online or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Better Health Victoria – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blood-pressure-high-hypertension
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-a-healthy-blood-pressure
HealthyWA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/High-blood-pressure
Heart Foundation – https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart
Hypertension Australia – https://www.hypertension.org.au/
World Heart Foundation – https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/hypertension/
World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/health-topics/hypertension#tab=tab_1
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart

The post Hypertension appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

Measles on the rise in WA

walrus — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 03:43:12 +0000

While measles has effectively been eradicated in Australia since 2014, thanks to the introduction of the vaccine to the childhood immunisation schedule in the mid-70s, there’s been a resurgence of the disease in recent years.

Already this year, there have been 13 cases of measles reported in WA, and 57 cases Australia-wide.

Vaccination remains the best prevention against the disease, particularly for overseas travellers and others recommended to receive the vaccine, including children 12 months old and adults born from 1966 onwards who haven’t yet had two doses.

In this month’s blog, we look at what’s causing this increase in cases and how vaccines work to prevent the disease.

What is measles?

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can easily spread through air-borne droplets. In fact, you can catch it simply from being in the same room as an infected person!

It can also pass on from direct contact with items that have been freshly soiled with the mucous and saliva of someone infected, as the virus can survive on surfaces for up to two hours.

Measles can have serious complications for those infected by the disease, including:

middle ear infections;
dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting;
respiratory infections – such as bronchitis, croup, laryngitis and even pneumonia;
pregnancy problems – including a higher risk of miscarriage or premature labour;
encephalitis or brain inflammation – which affects roughly one in 1,000 people affected by the disease and can result in death or permanent brain damage; and
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) – an extremely rare, progressive inflammation of the brain that causes degeneration. SSPE usually begins around seven years after the measles infection and is fatal.

Signs and symptoms

The first signs and symptoms usually occur around 10 days after exposure to the virus and can include:

fever
tiredness
runny nose
cough
sore red eyes

While these symptoms are characteristic of a range of illnesses, those with measles will also experience a red blotchy rash that appears a few days after the initial symptoms. The rash generally starts on the face and spreads to the body and will last for around four to seven days.

Who is at risk?

Anyone of any age can catch measles if they are not immune. One of the highest risk groups is international travellers, particularly those visiting and returning from countries where the disease is still common, including areas of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

Infants under 12 months are also particularly vulnerable, as they are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Another group at risk of experiencing serious illness with complications from measles is those with weakened immunity.

Measles can also be particularly damaging during pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage or pre-term labour. It is highly recommended that anyone planning a pregnancy ensures they are up-to-date with their measles vaccine prior to becoming pregnant, as measles vaccinations should not be given during pregnancy.

What’s causing the recent increase in cases?

According to Australian Government’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, 13 cases have been recorded in WA (up from a total of 6 cases in 2024) and 57 cases (equal to last year’s total) have been reported nationally to date.

The recent rise in measles cases in Australia can be attributed to both the rising number of cases globally combined with reduced vaccination rates here in Australia.

Global case numbers are also rising.

There are a number of countries where measles is still very common and outbreaks are currently being experienced in Vietnam, Thailand, India, Africa, Europe and the UK, the Middle East, and North America – all popular destinations for Australian tourists.

With this global increase in cases, and international travel back to pre-pandemic levels, it’s no wonder we are seeing an increased number of cases locally.

Preventing measles

Vaccination remains the best prevention against measles, particularly if you are planning on travelling overseas.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends vaccination for specific groups including:

children 12 months old;
adolescents and adults born during or since 1966 who have not received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly:
- healthcare workers;
- childhood educators and carers;
- people who work in long-term care facilities;
- people who work in correctional facilities; and
- travellers.

About the measles vaccine

The measles combination vaccine (MMR – measles, mumps, rubella) is free under the National Immunisation Program for children aged 12 months and 18 months.

People who did not receive a measles vaccination in childhood, including those aged under 20 years old, refugees, and other humanitarian entrants, may also be eligible for a free catch-up-vaccination.

MMR is a live vaccine that is 99% effective in protecting against the virus. As it contains a small amount of the live virus, some people may be not be able to receive the vaccine for medical reasons. Make sure you check with your doctor before booking in for your vaccine.

To book in for your vaccine at Illawarra Medical Centre, or to get general travel health and vaccination advice, book online or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care – https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/immunisation-services/measles-immunisation-service-0
Australian Immunisation Handbook – https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/measles#recommendations
Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/measles
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/articles/j_m/measles
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) – https://www.ncirs.org.au/public/mmrv-vaccine-decision-aid
World Health Organisation – https://www.who.int/health-topics/measles

The post Measles on the rise in WA appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.

New RSV Vaccine for Pregnancy

walrus — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:10:52 +0000

Following last year’s introduction of new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines for older adults and young children, the Australian Government last month introduced a new, free RSV immunisation program for pregnant women.

RSV is a serious disease for newborn babies and infants. Vaccination during pregnancy allows pregnant women to pass antibodies to their baby through the placenta to better protect this high risk group.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at the new maternal RSV program and other recommended vaccines for pregnant women.

What is RSV?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the airways and lungs and commonly causes coughs and colds during winter.

The virus is highly contagious and can spread easily through respiratory droplets released into the air by an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking, or through people touching contaminated surfaces and transferring the virus to their eyes, nose or mouth. It can also spread through hand-to-hand contact with an infected person.

RSV can lead to life-threatening complications, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Those most at risk of serious complications include:

Infants aged 12 months and under – especially those aged 6 months and under.
Children aged 2 years and under with medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease.
Children aged 2 years and under who were born pre-term or with a low birth weight.

Maternal RSV vaccination program

Up until 2024, there were no vaccines available in Australia to help prevent RSV. In 2024, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved a number of vaccines for those most at risk, including a vaccine for adults aged 60 years and over, and one for babies and infants.

Following last year’s successful introduction of the infant vaccine, Nirsevimab (or Beyfortus), the Australian Government recently announced the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine – Abrysvo^®.

This new vaccine has been made available for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for women who are between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, to help protect their newborn baby from RSV.

How does the maternal RSV vaccine work?

When a pregnant woman receives the maternal RSV vaccine, their immune system produces antibodies against the disease in the first couple of weeks after vaccination. These antibodies are transferred through the placenta to the baby’s bloodstream. The antibodies help protect the infant against RSV from birth.

The process of providing antibodies from mother to baby is a form of passive immunisation and provides protection to the infant for up to 6 months from birth.

The Abrysvo vaccine cannot cause RSV and most side effects experienced are mild. As noted by the WA Government Department of Health, research has shown no difference in the rates of serious adverse events in pregnant women or infants born to pregnant women who receive Abrysvo compared to those who received a placebo.

This vaccine has already been approved for use in the United States of America and research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that, when given to pregnant women, the vaccine was 81.8% effective in preventing severe disease within 90 days of birth and 69.4% effective in preventing severe disease within 180 days of birth.

More information on the maternal RSV vaccination program is available here>>

What other vaccines are recommended during pregnancy?

Other vaccines recommended during pregnancy include ones for influenza and whooping cough – diseases that cause serious harm to pregnant women and their unborn babies. Both of these vaccines are available free to pregnant women through the NIP.

The influenza vaccine is available at any stage of pregnancy. As babies under 6 months are too young to have the vaccine themselves, the best way to protect newborns from influenza is for mothers to have the vaccine during pregnancy.

Similarly, babies do not receive their first whooping cough vaccination until they are six weeks of age. Therefore, the best protection for newborns is for mothers to be vaccinated prior to delivery.

The whooping cough vaccine is recommended for every pregnancy between 20 and 32 weeks, and can be given up to the time of delivery.

This brochure from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care provides further information on recommended vaccines during pregnancy>>

Are vaccines safe?

Yes. Vaccines given in Australia are perfectly safe and you cannot get the virus from having the relevant vaccine.

Like any vaccine, it is possible that some people may experience a reaction; however, the risk of the vaccines causing serious harm is very low. Some people may experience mild side effects, including reactions at the injection site (redness, swelling, and pain where the injection is given), fever and fatigue.

In Australia, all vaccines must pass strict safety testing before being approved for use by the TGA. We also have a national program – AusVaxSafety – that monitors the type and rate of reactions to all vaccines on the National Immunisation Program.

At Illawarra Medical Centre, we utilise the SmartVax system as an additional vaccine safety measure for our patients. SmartVax uses SMS and smartphone technology to actively monitor vaccine safety in real time and feeds that information into the AusVaxSafety program.

Vaccinations at IMC

All recommended maternal vaccines are available at Illawarra Medical Centre. To book in for your vaccine or discuss and questions or concerns you may have, book an appointment with one of our GPs. Bookings can be made online or by contacting us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care – https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/immunisation-for-pregnancy
Healthy WA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Respiratory-syncytial-virus
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia – https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs-and-other-resources/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-frequently-asked

The post New RSV Vaccine for Pregnancy appeared first on Illawarra Medical Centre.