Aust Fam Physician
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Ross River fever, or epidemic arthritis, is caused by the Ross River virus and usually mild and short-lived although persisting joint symptoms can develop. This article reviews the cause, diagnosis and treatment of this sometimes debilitating disease.
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I wear my two hats proudly now, that of a mother of a child with a disability and that of a doctor. My 'mother hat' is not removable. I have tried to separate myself from it at times, but that is too painful--it is a part of me. ⋯ It is appropriate and useful in specific situations. It can be pulled over my eyes to hide how I feel and, at times, offers some protection. But it can also obscure my vision and sometimes causes me to stumble over obstacles I may otherwise have successfully negotiated.
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Depression in the elderly may have many presentations. Skill is required in differentiating clinical depressive conditions from mild reactive states and senile dysphoria. Screening tests are available that may assist the doctor in the diagnosis of depression. ⋯ Depression in older persons is very common, may be difficult to diagnose, is treatable and has a prognosis similar to that of middle aged or younger patients. Doctors should think depression in older patients and bear in mind possible atypical presentations. When the correct diagnosis, usually possible by taking a careful history, is followed by correct treatment, the outcome can be very rewarding for patient and doctor.