Where to find reliable health information online

I’m old. I remember, years ago having a big, heavy, hardcover book at my parent’s home called “The Macquarie Guide to Home Medicine”. You probably can’t buy it anymore, but I used to refer to it often.

These days people are more likely to get their health information online. This can be a fantastic way of accessing immediate and quality information to help you become healthier, quicker. However, sometimes the information we find can be misleading, factually incorrect or even dangerous. Who else is guilty of a tingling throat keeping you awake at 1am and a Google search making you feel like you most definitely have Scarlet Fever!?

A couple of reliable sources of online information are www.vichealth.vic.gov.au and www.mayoclinic.org. I like the Mayo Clinic because it’s not-for-profit.

As a general rule, avoid anyone who is trying to sell you something (most sites), and don’t self-diagnose. Find a good GP and don’t be afraid to use them