Health details on web ‘not reliable’

HEALTH information on the internet can be unreliable and website visitors need to be cautious, the professional body representing GPs warned yesterday.

With a quarter of internet users accessing health information, the Irish College of General Practitioners advised of the unreliability of some online services.

“The ICGP recognises the internet as an increasing part of how people manage their health and their lifestyles,” said Dr Brendan O’Shea, “but we would urge people to be careful in the way they use the information accessed.”