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Norovirus is a common viral cause of gastroenteritis (or ‘gastro’). Vomiting is usually the main initial symptom, and there can be a lot of vomit. Other symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, fever, headache and muscle aches. Norovirus gastroenteritis can cause dehydration because of the large amount of fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.Outbreaks are common because norovirus spreads very easily and it only takes a small number of virus particles to make someone sick. The disease is more common from late winter to early summer.People who have had norovirus before can be reinfected as new strains of the virus spread around the world every few years.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes gastroenteritis (or ‘gastro’) and occasionally bloodstream infection. Symptoms include diarrhoea (sometimes with blood or mucus in the faeces), fever, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. The severity of the symptoms depends on the number of germs swallowed, the person’s age and their general health.Specific types of Salmonella cause typhoid and paratyphoid fever (see separate fact sheet). These can be more severe abdominal and bloodstream infections, but are generally only reported in returned travellers from countries where typhoid is common.

RSV is a common virus affecting the lungs and breathing passages. RSV in children usually causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms lasting from 8 to 15 days. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing and wheezing.In young children and babies under 12 months old, RSV can cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis. Signs of bronchiolitis include wheezing and difficulty breathing. This may get worse over the first 3 to 4 days before starting to improve. Some children and adults (particularly the elderly) need hospital treatment for their RSV lung infection.

The Privacy Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (Cth) made changes to the Privacy Act 1988(Cth) (the Privacy Act) to allow health practitioners to disclose patient’s genetic information, whether or not they give consent, in circumstances where there is reasonable belief that doing so is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of their genetics relative(s).  The amendments do not oblige disclosure of information but provide the framework for this to occur under the appropriate circumstances.

Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN, also known as Rh Disease) can occur during pregnancy when a pregnant woman’s immune system produces antibodies that attack their fetus’ red blood cells (RBCs). Once a major cause of fetal and newborn mortality, today HDFN is almost non-existent in Australia due to routine antenatal blood grouping and antibody screening, and the use of prophylactic Rh D immunoglobulin and appropriate clinical management of mother and baby. Guidelines, initially produced by NHMRC on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing, have assisted with translation of the research on Rh D antibody screening and Rh D immunoglobin into clinical practice.

Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering rash. It is caused when the virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus) reactivates in the body. Shingles only affects people who have previously had chickenpox. Shingles can affect people of any age, but is more common in those over 50. It rarely affects children under 3 years old. If someone gets shingles, prompt treatment with antivirals can reduce its severity and duration. Antivirals should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis.

A guide for peer reviewers when evaluating industry-relevant skills, experience and achievements in its assessment of applicants’ track records.

NHMRC Targeted Call for Research (TCR) into Wind Farms and Human Health sought to build a body of evidence to understand whether there are direct adverse health effects from exposure to wind turbine emissions and contribute to the development of policy and public health recommendations regarding wind turbine development and operations in Australia. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health evidence-practice policy gap reports. An evidence-practice/policy gap is the difference between what is known from the best available research evidence and what is practised in reality (through delivery of medical care or drafting of policies or guidelines).

Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and pains, a head cold and a mild sore throat. It can often cause a severe cough. The infected person usually recovers within a week. Children aged under 5 are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. 

The objective of the Ideas Grant scheme is to support innovative research projects addressing a specific question(s).

In the early 1970s, Professor Lex Doyle watched as ventilators were introduced in Australian hospitals to help premature babies breathe.

NHMRC, guided by its Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC), conducted a national consultation on the Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC) to consider how the criteria are working in practice and whether improvements are needed.

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide1 and a major mental health issue in Australia. NHMRC-funded mental health researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) developed MoodGYM, an interactive, automated, online program designed to prevent or reduce symptoms of depression. This evidence-based, self-help program has helped over one million people worldwide manage their mental health.

Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis (or ‘gastro’) in children. Symptoms include vomiting, fever and watery diarrhoea. It usually starts suddenly. Rotavirus mainly affects infants and young children up to 3 years of age. In cooler parts of Australia, rotavirus peaks in mid to late winter. In the northern tropical and arid parts of Australia, disease peaks are less predictable.Rotavirus gastroenteritis can cause dehydration because of the fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.

This document provides principles and best practice guidance for the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes. The document is intended for use by those involved in the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes, including institutional animal ethics committees, investigators and animal carers.