Children's Health Queensland

How much do you know about diphtheria? 🤔 Here’s what you need to know 👇

It’s a disease that has been rarely seen in Australia since the 1950 - but is making a comeback in 2026. More than 230 cases have been reported already this year. At the same time, childhood vaccination rates are at a 10-year low.

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the nose, throat and skin. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, close contact or infected skin sores. In severe cases, it can make it hard to breathe, and the toxin produced by the bacteria can cause life-threatening damage the heart and nerves.

The best way to protect your family is making sure everyone's vaccinations are up to date. The diphtheria vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Schedule, given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months, 4 years. An additional booster is given to children in their first year of high school (12 or 13 years of age). Check the schedule 👉 https://bit.ly/49yjqGp

It's also important for adults to have boosters of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/whooping cough) vaccine because immunity declines over time.

For more information on diphtheria, symptoms, treatment and when to seek help, visit 👉 https://www.vaccinate.initiatives.qld.gov.au/what-to-vaccinate-against/diphtheria

Let's be honest - a big bo**er can make even the strongest of stomachs squeamish 🤢, but your child's snot can tell you a lot about what's going on in their body.

Cooler weather is on the horizon, bringing with it more snotty noses🤧, so knowing what the different colours mean can help you decide how best to care for them.

Here's a simple snot colour guide:
⚪️ Clear - totally normal! It helps keep your child’s nose clean and healthy.
⚪️ Runny white - often a sign of a viral infection.
🟢 Green or yellow - their body is doing its job and fighting off an infection.
🔴 Red or pink - there’s a little blood in the mucus (usually from irritation).
🟤 Brown - likely from dust, dirt, or pollution.
⚫️ Black - a sign something isn’t right and worth checking with a doctor.

To find out more about each of the colours, how to treat a snotty nose and when to see your doctor, visit our blog 👉 https://bit.ly/childsnotcolour

You may recognise our Dustin (or Dusty!), from Tamborine. 👋 Dustin made national (and even international) headlines earlier this month, when he accidentally swallowed and inhaled some metallic cake decorating powder at home while his mum was baking. The powder turned into a toxic paste in Dustin's lungs, and he needed emergency surgery to clear them. He then spent several days in an induced coma in our intensive care unit while his care team worked to reduce the inflammation in his lungs. With the support of high-flow oxygen, Dustin eventually started breathing on his own and started showing signs of improvement. After more than two weeks in hospital, Dustin is back to sharing lots of cheeky smiles, playing with his tractors and enjoying lots of cuddles with his mum, dad and big sisters. Dustin will continue his recovery with the support of our respiratory team, but today we’re celebrating this brave little boy and the smile that’s back on his face. Thank you for sharing your journey with us Dustin, we are so happy to see you smiling again! 💙

Meet 🦸, Dr Stephen Malone, a paediatric neurologist and epileptologist helping Queensland kids and families navigate the challenges of epilepsy and neurological conditions. 🧠✨

Stephen has dedicated most of his 30-year career in medicine to the area of paediatric epilepsy. With a special interest in EEGs (brainwave monitoring), epilepsy surgery and advanced treatments, he says the most rewarding part of his job is working with families to find the best possible way to manage — and sometimes even cure — a child’s epilepsy.

“Epilepsy affects each child differently, and it’s rarely just about the seizures. We look at the whole child, their strengths, and how we can help them aim high without letting their epilepsy define them.”

Thank you, Stephen, for your commitment to helping shape brighter futures for Queensland children. 💜

Epilepsy Queensland Epilepsy Australia

Think you know your bee sting first aid? 🐝 Let’s put it to the test with our quiz! ⁉️💬

You should pull a bee stinger out as quickly as possible. True or False?
👍 True
❤️ False

Meet 9-year-old Frederick (Fred) of Yeppoon. Fred lives with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a rare genetic disorder causing autism, seizures, and insomnia. He was diagnosed with the disorder at 10 months after missing some developmental milestones. Several specialities make up Fred's care team, including neurology, respiratory, gastroenterology and child development. Fred and his family are also supported by our Paediatric Palliative Care Service, who provide physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support to children and young people with a life-limiting illness. When he's not at the hospital, Fred enjoys being active, outdoors, watching Blippi and spending time with his family. Thanks for sharing you smile with us, Fred! 😊

Every year, more than 7,500 units of donated blood products help treat sick and injured kids at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. 🩸❤️

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urgently calling for A and O donations as supply is nearing critical levels. With cold and flu season looming, Lifeblood expects demand to increase in the months ahead.

Now's the time to roll up your sleeve and help change a life. ❤️ Help spread the work by tagging a friend below or sharing this post.

Meet this week's 😃, 13‑year‑old, George, from Kenmore. 👋 George has been with us since December to treat Guillain‑Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder where his immune system attacks nerves causing his muscles to weaken. George has been smashing his rehab goals - working on strengthening his muscles and learning to walk and use his hands again. He is looking forward to heading home, getting back to school and catching up with his friends - things he's missed the most. ✨Thank you for sharing your smile with us, George! 😃

Meet our Director of Cardiac Perfusion and 🦸, Anthony. ❤️🫀

He leads our paediatric perfusion team (the only one in Queensland). With more than 30 years’ experience as a perfusionist, he helps keep children safe during open-heart surgery by operating a heart-lung machine, which temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs during the procedure.

Anthony says working with children has taught him that every child is unique and there isn't a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to heart surgery. He loves being able to work with surgeons, anaesthetics and theatre teams to makes adjustments in real time.

"Families place an enormous amount of trust in us. Knowing that our work helps gives children the best chance to recover and return to their families is incredibly meaningful. Being part of the moment when a child's heart is safely restarted after surgery is something I won't forget."

Thank you, Anthony, for your dedication to supporting Queensland children and families through life-saving heart surgery. ❤️

Do you know what the measles rash looks like?

Australia recorded triple the amount of measles cases in 2025 than it did in 2024. This is the highest number of cases since 2019. At the same time, child vaccination rates are at a 10-year low.

Measles was common in Australia before the measles vaccine (MMR) was added to the childhood immunisation program in the 1970s. Since then, Australia has eliminated local transmission of measles, but cases continue to occur in people who have come back from overseas with the virus.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect you and your family against measles. The measles vaccine is part of the National Immunisation Schedule, given at 12 months and 18 months. Check the schedule 👉 https://bit.ly/49yjqGp

For more information on measles, visit 👉https://bit.ly/4najlxv