Michelle Roberts

1 week ago | bbc.com | Michelle Roberts

Michelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC NewsScientists believe they have found a new effective antibiotic for gonorrhoea, which could be one of the most promising in decades. Gepotidacin can treat and clear the sexually transmitted infection just as well as existing antibiotics and appears to be able to tackle some emerging drug-resistant 'superbug' strains too, say researchers in The Lancet journal. The work was funded by pharmaceutical company GSK which makes the new tablets.

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Michelle Roberts |Grace Dean

The procedures driving UK's cosmetic surgery riseMichelle Roberts and Grace DeanGetty ImagesTreatments to remove wrinkles and tone arms, thighs and stomachs are driving a rise in cosmetic surgery, the latest figures from UK private clinics suggest. There were 27,462 procedures performed in 2024 - a 5% rise on 2023 - of which more than nine in ten were on women. Boob jobs remained the most popular treatment, followed by breast reduction surgery in second place.

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Michelle Roberts

No drinks with sweeteners for younger children, say UK advisorsMichelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC NewsGetty ImagesThe Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommendations apply to beverages such as sugar-free 'toothkind' squash that has ingredients such as aspartame, stevia, saccharin and sucralose. It says preschool children should become accustomed to drinking water instead. Sweeteners may help older children cut down on sugar though. What are artificial sweeteners?

1 month ago | bbc.com | Michelle Roberts

UK draws up new disease-threat watch listMichelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC NewsGetty ImagesOropouche virus, spread by biting midges and some mosquitoes, is on the listThe UK has a new watch list of 24 infectious diseases that could pose the greatest future threat to public health. Some are viruses with global pandemic potential - like Covid - while others are illnesses that have no existing treatments or could cause significant harm.

1 month ago | bbc.com | Michelle Roberts

NHS to offer take-at-home tablet for MSMichelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC NewsGetty ImagesThousands of NHS patients in England with multiple sclerosis (MS) will soon be offered a "take at home" tablet to manage their condition, sparing them hospital visits for injections or infusions. Cladribine can help people with the active relapsing-remitting version of the disease, as well as more severe, highly active MS, for which it is already used, says drug advisory body NICE.