Consider regular spirometry for chronic productive cough: study
Patients with a chronic productive cough should undergo regular spirometry for early detection of COPD and asthma, regardless of smoking status or duration, Australian doctors…
Tag: Respiratory
TGA ‘closely monitoring’ suicide and depression risk with asthma drug
The TGA is “closely monitoring” reports of suicide, sleep disturbances and other potential adverse neuropsychiatric events in children prescribed the asthma medication montelukast. Although prescribers…
New variant behind latest COVID-19 wave will ‘eventually dominate’
A new and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant has been blamed for the latest spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations, but a leading epidemiologist warns the…
RACGP updates smoking cessation guidance as vaping crackdown begins
Patients using nicotine vaping products should be prescribed devices with closed systems that cannot be refilled instead of open-system devices, according to provisional guidance from…
Asthma deaths up 32% amid fading COVID-19 effect
Increased respiratory virus circulation and complacency around asthma management are driving a spike in asthma-related mortality, a leading GP says. National Asthma Council Australia reported last…
Pick the perilous pathogen at play in this febrile patient
Ned, a 52-year-old scientist, requests a telehealth consultation. He reports that, for the past few days, he has had generalised myalgia, headaches, chills and has…
New child-specific vaping cessation guidance for GPs ahead of govt crackdown
Tailored advice for under-18s and young adults who use nicotine vapes will be added to the RACGP’s updated smoking cessation guidelines before the end of…
‘Nothing unusual or novel’: WHO responds to respiratory illness clusters in China
The WHO is hosing down fears of another global respiratory illness outbreak following reports of mysterious pneumonia clusters in children in northern China. On Thursday,…
More CPAP masks with magnetic clips recalled
The TGA has issued a recall notice for 12 ResMed CPAP masks amid concerns the magnetic clips could interfere with the function or location of…
Timing ‘critical’ for chronic cough management: updated guidance
Kids with chronic cough and protracted bacterial bronchitis should be treated with antibiotics for up to four weeks, according to updated Australian guidance published this…
