What's That Rash? – Details, episodes & analysis

It might not seem like it, but we humans are electrical beings. We rely on electrical impulses to stay alive.

So can we rely on electrical impulses … to get swole?

Norman and Tegan investigate the various claims surrounding electrical muscle stimulation.

References 

• Functional Electrical Stimulation and Spinal Cord Injury
• Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction on Quadriceps Strength, Function, and Patient-Oriented Outcomes : A Systematic Review
• Feasibility and efficacy of progressive electrostimulation strength training for competitive tennis players
• Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on the Energy-Restriction-Induced Reduction of Muscle Mass During Intended Weight Loss

The Mediterranean diet is the most well studied dietary pattern out there. So – what is it?

It’s more than just vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and sparing consumption of meat.

Norman and Tegan take us through ALL the elements that make up this way of eating, which has been attributed to a myriad of health benefits.

References

• Scientific evidence supporting the newly developed one-health labeling tool “Med-Index”
• Mediterranean diet and health outcomes: a systematic meta-review
• Perspective: Beyond the Mediterranean Diet—Exploring Latin American, Asian, and African Heritage Diets as Cultural Models of Healthy Eating

Feeling yuck? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of all that gunk you're coughing up?

At least one of our listeners has … and she wants to know whether there’s any benefit to spitting or swallowing…

In this live episode from the World Science Festival Brisbane, Norman and Tegan take us through the answer.

As more and more people become infected with COVID-19, more and more people are also going to be reinfected.

But there's another type of reinfection known as a rebound infection, which can happen in the days after you've recovered.

The US President Joe Biden tested positive again this week for COVID-19 only a few days after he was cleared following his treatment with antiviral medication Paxlovid.

So what could be going on? How common are rebound infections and could it extend to people who don't take the drugs also being reinfected?

When the pandemic started we were so worried about surfaces. But it turned out that wasn't so much of a concern.

The big thing was the very air we breathe.

But as Governments largely scale back on mandates and restrictions, experts are urging more be done on things that can prevent spread of the virus

And the big target is better ventilation.

On today's special Coronacast, Tegan Taylor takes a look around to see how bad the air is in everyday life.

BA5 sure is making itself well known, and is responsible for soaring infection and reinfection rates right across the country.

So how does it compare in infectiousness to other diseases? Well working that out is a difficult question.

It's partly down to changing variables like vaccination and controls, but also changes to the virus itself.

So on this week's Coronacast, why it doesn't really matter if BA5 is as infectious as measles - it's still doing a lot of damage.

Also on today's show:

* Enough about BA5 - what about BA2.75? Bring on the 'Centaurus' talk!

* An update on pregnancy and COVID-19

* And BA5 in schools - will a booster help?

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It's been a month since Coronacast took a break, and since then a lot has changed.

The BA4 and 5 variants have become dominant, and immunologists are starting to worry about the state of play.

Firstly, BA4 and 5 are acting a bit like new variants. They're evading vaccines and prior infections even more than original Omicron and there's no sign they're slowing down.

And secondly, COVID case loads are surging and hospitals are feeling the pressure.

So what else has changed over the last month, and what's the rest of winter looking like?

Also on today's show:

* I'm suddenly eligible for a fourth dose. Do I bother getting it?

* Can you get the 2nd booster shot 28 days after having COVID (in line with information that re-infection can occur after 28 days), or is it still best to wait the 3 months, and if so, why is it best to wait?

* I've had two AstraZeneca and one Moderna shots. What should I have as my fourth dose?

There's been a bunch of good news this week about kids and COVID, including kids under 5 moving a touch closer to become eligible for vaccination

A Scandanavian study has shown that before babies are born, they get an immune benefit from their vaccinated mother.

Another study has looked at a rare condition that can happen in kids after COVID, called MIS-C, and found vaccinated kids are way more protected from it

And also both Pfizer and Moderna have moved slightly closer to being registered for kids under 5 in the USA.

Also on today's show:

* Are there rapid tests available to test for influenza?

* I've noticed that cases seem to be falling. Is it just that it's being under reported? I haven't heard any mention of it in the media but it's the opposite of what I expected as we head into winter.

AND WE'LL BE TAKING A BREAK FOR THE NEXT MONTH BECAUSE NORMAN IS ON HOLIDAYS. SO KEEP AN EYE ON THE FEED AND WE'LL BE BACK SOON.

This time last year, Australia's vaccination program was getting underway and many were coming forward for their first or second shots.

But Australia's haven't embraced the third dose as quickly or in as large numbers.

The third dose is vital for the best protection against disease, and is recommended for the majority of Australians.

So why aren't people coming forward as quickly?

Also on today's show:

* Is it possible that we may have caught COVID without realising it?

* Are there instances of assumed second COVID infections that are actually just relapses?

Since the variant we now know as Omicron burst onto the scene late last year, it's proved to be a shapeshifter, spawning no fewer than five subvariants so far.

Each have their own characteristics, but which is the most likely to become the dominant strain?

There's finally enough data around to start making a comparison - so which subvariant will rule them all, what features give it the advantage, and what possible tools we might use to fight it?

Also on today's show:

* If I'm triple vaccinated and COVID is everywhere, could I have encountered it and fought it off, making me even more immune now?

* What's the latest on the scary, mysterious hepatitis that's been reported in kids?