Dr Hendrik van Wyk

27/04/2022

Influenza can be serious for anyone but research has shown it is more frequent and more severe in people with diabetes. Studies have found that the risk of hospital admission is up to 3 times higher in people with diabetes.

It’s important that people with diabetes stay well and stay out of hospital. This is why we’re encouraging everyone, including friends and family, to get their flu shot.

14/03/2022

Authorities say the prevalence of BA.2 is increasing across Australia and could take over as the dominant type of Omicron. Here's what you need to know.

10/03/2022

Happy World Kidney Day 🥳

Your kidneys play a big role in your body, by making sure your blood is 'clean' of waste products. They are so important, we have two of them, in case one needs a bit of help.

The waste filtered by your kidneys is combined with excess water and leaves your body as urine. 😎

To learn more about the kidneys, check out our podcast episode 👉 https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/podcast/my-amazing-body-the-kidneys

07/03/2022

13/01/2022

Your bones are super important.

They facilitate movement 🦵, protect organs and are necessary for blood formation.
When our bones aren't looked after properly, they lose minerals at a rate that is faster than they can replenish them.

This is called osteoporosis - which literally means 'bones with holes'. 🦴

Usually, there are no signs or symptoms when someone has osteoporosis, but the condition largely increases the risk of serious and/or debilitating fractures. 😬

Luckily, there are things you can do now to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. 👇

08/01/2022

Queenslanders are now able to get their booster shot four months after their second dose.

Getting a booster dose will provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19.

You are still considered “fully vaccinated” if you had 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, even if you had your second dose more than 4 months ago.

You can book or walk-in at any Queensland Health vaccination clinic, you do not need to return to where you got your primary course of COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, visit 👉 https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/covid-19-vaccine/about/boosters

05/01/2022

All your COVID-19 questions answered.

05/01/2022

Hey Queenslanders 👋, we've seen a lot of questions about what makes someone a close contact. The definition has recently changed.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A close contact is a household contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case. A household contact is someone who lives with a case 🏠 or has spent more than 4 hours with them in a house 🏡, accommodation 🏨 or care facility 🏥.

You are a close contact if 👇
✅ You live with someone who has COVID-19 like a partner, housemate or visiting family member
✅ You've been with someone who has COVID-19 for over 4 hours in their accommodation

You aren't a close contact if 👇
🚫 You have come in contact with a COVID-19 case at work
🚫 You caught up with a COVID-19 case outside of your home

All close contacts must quarantine at home for 7 days from their date of exposure and have a negative test on day 6 to leave. Learn more here 👉 https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid19/closecontacts