Health advice

Articles by New Zealand doctors on common medical conditions, their symptoms and treatments, as well as tips for prevention and self-care.
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Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when you’re unable to control it and it starts to disrupt your life, that is what’s called an anxiety disorder.

Bronchitis (Acute)

Acute bronchitis is a common chest infection that can affect people of any age. Read about the symptoms and learn how to protect yourself.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Cervical screening

Cervical cancer is highly preventable with regular cervical screening. Now it's even easier with HPV testing!

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in New Zealand. Read about the symptoms and learn how to protect yourself.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are tiny, painful blisters that usually appear on a person's face & can be contagious. Find out how you can protect yourself against them.

Depression

Depression is extremely common in New Zealand, with 1 in 6 people experiencing it at some point during their lifetime.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a common condition that causes glucose (sugar) levels in the blood to become too high. This is called hyperglycaemia.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease is a disease of the bowel that is increasingly common as you get older. Learn about the symptoms and some preventative actions.

Eczema

Eczema is a really common skin condition that causes skin dryness, itch, and rash.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a broad term used to describe infections of the gut that cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Glandular fever

Glandular fever is a viral infection that is most common in teens and young adults.

Hand, foot and mouth

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very common viral infection. It normally affects children aged 10 or younger.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is a very common condition in New Zealand that tends to affect most people worst in spring & summer. Learn about the symptoms & treatment.

Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of over 100 viruses. HPV can cause warts, genital warts and cancer.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that many New Zealanders live with unknowingly. Find out about testing & proactive prevention.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting around 1 in 4 New Zealanders each year.

Migraine

Migraine disease involves severe headaches, which are normally on one side of their head. It affects around 1 in 10 New Zealanders.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can be mild or life-threatening.

Scabies

Scabies is an extremely itchy rash that occurs as a result of a mite tunneling under the surface of the skin.

Sinus infection

Sinus infections or sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become inflamed or infected.

Sore throat

Most sore throats are minor but they can be a symptom of something more serious like COVID-19, or strep throat.

Strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection. In some cases it can lead to rheumatic fever, resulting in permanent heart damage. Read about the symptoms and treatment.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is very contagious and can make breathing difficult. It can be dangerous in babies. Your best protection is the pertussis vaccine.
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Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when you’re unable to control it and it starts to disrupt your life, that is what’s called an anxiety disorder.

Depression

Depression is extremely common in New Zealand, with 1 in 6 people experiencing it at some point during their lifetime.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Bronchitis (Acute)

Acute bronchitis is a common chest infection that can affect people of any age. Read about the symptoms and learn how to protect yourself.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Glandular fever

Glandular fever is a viral infection that is most common in teens and young adults.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is a very common condition in New Zealand that tends to affect most people worst in spring & summer. Learn about the symptoms & treatment.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting around 1 in 4 New Zealanders each year.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can be mild or life-threatening.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is very contagious and can make breathing difficult. It can be dangerous in babies. Your best protection is the pertussis vaccine.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Eczema

Eczema is a really common skin condition that causes skin dryness, itch, and rash.

Hand, foot and mouth

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very common viral infection. It normally affects children aged 10 or younger.

Scabies

Scabies is an extremely itchy rash that occurs as a result of a mite tunneling under the surface of the skin.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when you’re unable to control it and it starts to disrupt your life, that is what’s called an anxiety disorder.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in New Zealand. Read about the symptoms and learn how to protect yourself.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are tiny, painful blisters that usually appear on a person's face & can be contagious. Find out how you can protect yourself against them.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a common condition that causes glucose (sugar) levels in the blood to become too high. This is called hyperglycaemia.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease is a disease of the bowel that is increasingly common as you get older. Learn about the symptoms and some preventative actions.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a broad term used to describe infections of the gut that cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Glandular fever

Glandular fever is a viral infection that is most common in teens and young adults.

Hand, foot and mouth

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very common viral infection. It normally affects children aged 10 or younger.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is a very common condition in New Zealand that tends to affect most people worst in spring & summer. Learn about the symptoms & treatment.

Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of over 100 viruses. HPV can cause warts, genital warts and cancer.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that many New Zealanders live with unknowingly. Find out about testing & proactive prevention.

Migraine

Migraine disease involves severe headaches, which are normally on one side of their head. It affects around 1 in 10 New Zealanders.

Sinus infection

Sinus infections or sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become inflamed or infected.

Sore throat

Most sore throats are minor but they can be a symptom of something more serious like COVID-19, or strep throat.

Strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection. In some cases it can lead to rheumatic fever, resulting in permanent heart damage. Read about the symptoms and treatment.