Paracetamol myths | Goodbye Pap smears | Quiz: Food poisoning

26 February 2015 Welcome to this week's ABC Health & Wellbeing Updates where you'll find the most interesting and inspiring health stories from across the ABC.

Editor's choice

Paracetamol: targeting pain, generic brands and other things you need to know It's one of our most commonly used painkillers; but there's no shortage of misinformation when it comes to paracetamol. Here are eight things to know.

Why there are plans to part ways with Pap smears Few women enjoy getting their regular pap smear. So most will welcome proposed changes to the cervical cancer screening program.

More than dahl and veggie burgers: delicious lentil recipes There was a time when you would only find lentils in an Indian restaurant or hippie cafe. These days everyone is loving these tiny legumes. It's not surprising, they're cheap, versatile, nutritious and so delicious.

Quiz: Food poisoning Recent events highlight that we can all be vulnerable to food poisoning. So test your knowledge of the causes of food poisoning and how you can prevent getting sick in the first place.

Healthy Living Healthy Eating Ross River fever Ross River fever is a debilitating viral illness spread by mosquitoes that can leave you bedridden for weeks, sometimes longer. Fresh herb lamb burgers with Greek salad These tasty and easy burgers are perfect for a BBQ. They are also a good source of fibre and protein.

This week's health tip

Wanting to avoid getting munched by mozzies this summer? Unfortunately vitamin B isn't the answer, but a yard free of mozzie breeding sites is. more >>

News

Bad fish blamed for poisoning Sydney cafe customers (ABC News Online - 26/02/2015) Rumination makes bad events feel closer (Science Online - 26/02/2015) Angry outbursts increase risk of heart attacks eight-fold: Australian study (ABC News Online - 25/02/2015) Concern that intellectually disabled left out of NDIS: Experts (PM - 25/02/2015) Ideal lash length follows one-third rule (Science Online - 25/02/2015) Health coaching significantly improves risk outcomes for chronic disease sufferers (The World Today - 25/02/2015) Genes play a role in peanut allergy (Science Online - 25/02/2015 ) Ross River virus outbreak in south-east Queensland confirmed (ABC News Online - 24/02/2015) Love hormone has sobering effect (Science Online - 24/02/2015 ) Silver staph find will help fight superbug: researchers (ABC News Online - 24/02/2015) More than 1 million Australian children affected by the drinking of parents or carers (ABC News Online - 24/02/2015) Peptides used to protect stroke victims from brain damage (ABC News Online - 23/02/2015) Sun damage continues hours after exposure (Science Online - 20/02/2015) Explained: How Australia checks imported food (ABC News Online - 19/02/2015)

more health news >>

Online analysis and opinion

Changing minds on the right to die The Drum When it comes to achieving the right to die, community support has yet to translate into votes on the floor of Parliament. But we've learned that over time, personal stories of love and hardship can change minds, writes George Williams.

more analysis and opinion>>

Audio and video

Health matters: the benefits of a good GP  (Life Matters, ABC RN) Helping disabled people into work  (Breakfast, ABC RN) Common food additive linked to heart disease  (Breakfast, ABC RN) Concerns raised about Ross River virus outbreak in Cyclone Marcia aftermath (Breakfast, ABC RN) New study highlights a dire future for Australian smokers  (Breakfast, ABC RN) Is melancholia a separate disorder?  (Life Matters, ABC RN) New study released today draws links between domestic violence and alcohol (Breakfast, ABC RN) Advance care planning and end of life care  (Health Report, ABC RN) The AMEN tool to help health professionals talk to dying patients  (Health Report, ABC RN) Coronary artery disease  (Health Report, ABC RN) Early palliative care can cut hospital re-admissions for cancer patients  (Health Report, ABC RN) Most doctors do not choose aggressive treatment at the end of their life  (Health Report, ABC RN) Caught in the stigma trap: the cost of mental illness in the workplace  (Background Briefing, ABC RN) Cultivating a cure for cancer  (Blueprint for Living, ABC RN) Science with Chris Smith: Teenage parents  (Breakfast, ABC RN) Antivenom  (Catalyst) Making couples happy: final  (iview)

more audio and video >>

ABC Science

8 more things you should know about great white sharks We all know they are supreme hunters that occasionally attack humans, but there's a whole lot more to these mighty ocean predators, writes Bernie Hobbs.

more ABC Science >>