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First aid can treat simple injuries or it may mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Cuts, bites, stings, bleeding, choking, frostbite, heat stroke, hypothermia and burns may respond to first aid.
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Some knowledge of basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death...
Asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)...
If you are bitten or stung by an insect or animal, apply first aid and seek medical treatment as soon as possible...
Your first aid kit should be organised, properly stocked and available at all times...
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)...
Allergies to insect stings and bites range from milder allergic reactions to life-threatening, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)...
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention...
Don't slap a choking person on the back while they are upright - gravity may cause the object to slip further down their windpipe...
Diabetic coma is a medical emergency and needs prompt medical treatment...
Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken...
Always disconnect the power supply before trying to help a victim of electric shock...
Good seizure management is an important part of reducing the risks associated with epilepsy...
Head injuries can be serious and require urgent medical attention. A hard blow to the head from a fall, knock or assault can injure the brain, even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the...
There is no specific treatment for mild head injury other than plenty of rest, and not overdoing things...
Heart attack is an emergency. If you have warning signs of heart attack, get help fast. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance...
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can be avoided by following simple prevention measures...
Drugs affect your body’s central nervous system. They affect how you think, feel and behave...
Contrary to popular belief, there is no home test that can distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties of wild fungi or mushrooms...
Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately if you suspect your child has been poisoned or given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose of medicine...
Shock is when there is not enough blood circulating in the body. It is a life-threatening medical emergency...
A stroke interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain and is a medical emergency...
The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly...
Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment...
Bleeding may be minor or it may be a life-threatening medical emergency...
If in doubt about the cause of your chest pain, call an ambulance...
Coughing and wheezing in babies can be distressing for you and your baby, but in most cases symptoms can be relieved at home...
Acute diarrhoea in babies and young children can be life threatening...
Common causes of fainting include heat, pain, distress, the sight of blood, anxiety and hyperventilating...
Fever is a way in which the body fights infection. A fever is not dangerous and does not always indicate a serious illness...
A muscle cramp is an uncontrollable and painful spasm of a muscle...
Ankle sprain is a common sports injuries caused by overstretching and tearing the supporting ligaments...
Common sites for bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip...
Immediate first aid for all burns is to hold the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes...
Most hot tap water scald injuries to children happen in the bathroom...
A knocked out permanent tooth can survive if it is immediately put back. Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back...
Always wear safety goggles or a face shield when handling liquid or powder chemicals...
Don't try to remove a foreign body from your eye - go to your doctor or hospital emergency department for help...
Flash burns are like sunburn in the eye and can affect both your eyes. Find out more...
A blister is one of the body's responses to injury or friction...
A needlestick injury means the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle. Diseases that could be transmitted by a needle or needlestick injury include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV...
Bleeding from the nose is common in children and is usually not severe or serious...
The body begins repairing a wound immediately and the process may continue for days, weeks, months or even years...
Chronic wounds are more likely to heal if they are treated with moist rather than dry dressings...
Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets...
Bedbugs have highly developed mouth parts that can pierce skin...
Body lice can spread from one person to another when the environmental conditions are crowded and unhygienic...
Unlike a bee, which can only sting once (and leaves the stinger behind in the skin), the European wasp can sting repeatedly...
Fleas are parasites that feed off the blood of humans and animals, and can spread infection...
Australia has about 2,000 species of spider but most species are relatively harmless to humans...
In most cases, the bite from a white tailed spider only causes a mild reaction, including itching and skin discolouration...
Exhaustion, hunger and dehydration further lower the body's defences against frostbite...
Heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster. Find out how you can treat and prevent heat-related illness...
People aged 65 years and over are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses and need special care in hot weather...
Babies and children can quickly lose body fluids in hot weather, which can lead to dehydration...
The early responses to hypothermia will be moving around, seeking shelter, hair standing on end (goosebumps) and shivering...
You can help reduce your risk of winter sports injuries with planning, preparation and proper equipment...
Need to find a doctor in your local area? Take a look at the general practitioners entry in the health services directory.
Want to know more about the medications you are taking. Search and find information sheets on over 4,000 prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Find out more about over 170 common surgeries including risks, benefits and after care.