Clinical Fact Checker (former)
Full Fact’s clinical fact checker Dr Fergus Brown looks back at his year of fact checking health misinformation and reflects on what he’ll take back to his work in medicine. Read
Health
Dr Andrew Kaufman, a US psychiatrist, has claimed that turpentine can be used as a treatment for sepsis. It cannot, and may cause harm if ingested. Sepsis must be treated with antibiotics urgently. Read
Health
A video of a man talking to a pharmacist about myocarditis has resurfaced on social media. Claims in the video about the mortality rate of the condition are incorrect. Read
Health
Widely spread social media claims that turmeric and honey are the “most powerful” or “most potent” antibiotic significantly overplay the evidence on their action against bacteria. Read
Health
Videos claim fluoride in toothpaste causes calcium to build up in part of your brain. There is no convincing evidence for this. Read
Health
An apparently AI-generated video claims a tea of onion skins will treat prostatitis and cure UTIs. It won’t. These conditions often need antibiotics, and sometimes become serious without them. Read
Health
Claims on social media that cholesterol in food doesn’t affect blood cholesterol levels are misleading, as are claims that carbohydrates—not fat—increase these. Read
Health
A recently shared clip of a documentary about Covid-19 vaccines describes Australian research into a vaccine using fragments of HIV. This vaccine was never rolled out, and didn’t cause HIV infections. Read
Health
Viral videos show banned naturopath Barbara O’Neill claim that cayenne pepper will heal a stomach ulcer. Like other chillies, it can cause irritation and worsen symptoms for those with the condition. Read
Health
A post spread widely on social media claims that eating honey alone can sustain human life. This would actually lead to serious life-threatening nutrient deficiencies. Read
