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Cardiovascular

Abdominal pain in kids

Abnormal/Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (AUB/DUB)

Acanthosis Nigricans

Actinic Cheilitis

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Acute Swollen Joint with Fever

Acute Vision Loss

Acute and Progressive Vision Loss

Adjustment Disorder and Anxiety

Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

Age related macular degeneration

Alcohol Cessation

Allergic rhinitis

Angular Cheilitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Anorexia Nervosa

Anticholinergics and TCAs

Antidepressants

Antimetabolite drugs

Antiphospholipid syndrome

Anxiety Disorders

Aortic Dissection

Atrial Fibrillation

Behavioural / learning disorders

Behavioural disturbances

Bell’s palsy and Ramsey Hunt syndrome

Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-hCG)

Biologic agents

Bipolar Disorder

Bleeding disorders

Bronchiectasis (Updated)

CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125)

CVD Risk Assessment

Calluses and Corns

Candida (Candidiasis as an STI)

Carpal tunnel syndrome and de quervains tenosynovitis

Cervical spondylosis

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chronic Cough in Children

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic Stridor

Clavicular fracture

Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations

Congestive Cardiac Failure

Connective Tissue Diseases

Contact Dermatitis

Cutaneous Drug Eruptions

Dacrocystitis, dacyrostenosis, dacyrocystocoele

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Depression and Delirium

Dermal melanocystosis (mongolian spot)

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)

Diabetes Insipidus (DI) vs Primary Polydipsia

Diabetic Neuropathy

Dizziness / syncope

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Dupuytrens / trigger finger

Dyspnoea (Shortness of Breath)

Shingles & Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Shingles

Treatment

Prodrome: Burning pain, headache, fever, lymphadenopathy
Antivirals (if within 72 hrs of rash onset): Valaciclovir 1 g TDS x 7 days
- Start anytime if immunocompromised or ophthalmic involvement
Consider Prednisolone 50 mg OD x 7 days (severe cases)
Symptomatic relief: Ice packs, paracetamol
Early antiviral therapy ↓ PHN risk

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Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Persistent pain >3 months post-infection (rare if <50 yrs)
Zostavax reduces risk in older adults

Management

First-line: Lignocaine 5% patch (localised pain)
Systemic first-line: Amitriptyline 10 mg nocte, titrate as needed
Second-line: Pregabalin 75 mg OD or Gabapentin 100 mg BD (adjust per response)
Adjuvants: Paracetamol, ice massage, Duloxetine if needed
Refractory cases: TENS (2 weeks), Tramadol 100 mg daily, opioids
CBT for chronic pain & mood disturbances

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Vaccination Against Shingles & PHN

Recommended ≥60 yrs (funded 70–79 yrs)
Household contacts ≥50 yrs (if living with immunocompromised patients)
Give before an outbreak, NOT during active shingles

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Contraindications

Pregnancy or ≤4 weeks postpartum
Shingles within past year (temporary immunity)
Immunocompromised (live vaccine risk)

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Notes

Antiepileptics & topical steroids ineffective for shingles/PHN
Same management principles apply to Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) & Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Clinical Features

Prodrome: Burning pain, headache, fever, lymphadenopathy.
Rash: Clustered vesicles on an erythematous base, typically unilateral and dermatomal.

Treatment

Antivirals (within 72 hrs of rash onset):
- Valaciclovir 1 g TDS for 7 days
- If immunocompromised or ophthalmic involvement, start antivirals anytime.
Consider Prednisolone 50 mg OD x 7 days for severe cases.
Symptomatic Relief: Ice packs, paracetamol/NSAIDs, adequate analgesia.
Early antiviral therapy reduces PHN risk.

Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Definition

Persistent pain >3 months post-shingles rash resolution.
Higher risk with older age (>50 yrs).
Vaccination with Zostavax can reduce PHN incidence.

Management

First-Line Local:
- Lignocaine 5% Patch for well-localised pain areas.
Systemic First-Line:
- Amitriptyline 10 mg nocte, titrate gradually.
Second-Line:
- Pregabalin (start 75 mg OD) or Gabapentin (start 100 mg BD), adjust per response.
Adjuvants:
- Paracetamol, ice massage, duloxetine if partial response.
Refractory Cases:
- TENS for 2 weeks’ trial.
- Consider Tramadol 100 mg daily or stronger opioids.
- CBT for chronic pain and mood disturbances.

Vaccination Against Shingles & PHN

Recommended ≥60 years (funded for 70–79 years in Australia).
Household contacts ≥50 yrs if living with immunocompromised patients.
Live Vaccine: Give before an outbreak, not during active infection.

Contraindications

Pregnancy or ≤4 weeks postpartum.
Shingles within the past year (temporary immunity).
Immunocompromised (risk from live vaccine).

Notes

Antiepileptics & topical steroids are not effective for acute shingles or PHN relief (except gabapentinoids specifically indicated for neuropathic pain in PHN).
Same management principles apply to Ramsay Hunt syndrome (VZV reactivation in CN VII with ear involvement).

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