The great 2022 Christmas Health Quiz

1 In June, polio was found in the UK for the first time in nearly 40 years. Where was it discovered?

a. In cows

b. In sewage water

c. In a restaurant kitchen

2 Another dangerous virus, which causes painful sores to develop all over the body and previously only seen in Africa, began transmitting between gay men in countries across the world in May. What was the virus?

3 The UK experienced three heatwaves this summer, with a new record temperature of 40.3C reached on July 19. How many excess deaths for over-65s in England did the heatwaves cause?

4 In September, MP Therese Coffey was appointed England’s Health and Social Care Secretary. Despite lasting little over a month in the post, Coffey, 51, caused controversy after admitting she gave what to friends and family?

a. Cigars

b. Vegan mince pies

c. Her own prescription antibiotics

In September, MP Therese Coffey was appointed England’s Health and Social Care Secretary. Despite lasting little over a month in the post, Coffey, 51, caused controversy after admitting she gave what to friends and family?

5 Video sharing app TikTok kick-started a trend this year for using an over-the-counter medicine on the face as a make-up base, leading to a national shortage. What was the product?

6 The Mail on Sunday’s Deputy Health Editor, Eve Simmons, sparked a global conversation in July about an unusual and concerning side effect of cannabis consumption being seen in Los Angeles, where it’s legal. What was it?

7 Experimental drug lecanemab was hailed as ‘the beginning of the end’ for Alzheimer’s disease, after trials published in November showed it slowed progression of the disease. But there was a worrying side effect. What was it?

8 In November, a Rochdale housing boss came under fire after the death of a child was linked to exposure to what, in the flat where the two-year-old lived?

9 Disgraced ex-Health Secretary Matt Hancock raised eyebrows in November when he appeared on reality TV show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! He claimed he’d done so to raise awareness of which medical condition?

10 Hollywood action hero Bruce Willis, 67, this year announced he was ‘stepping away’ from acting, as he has developed a disorder called aphasia. What were the Die Hard star’s main symptoms?

The Mail on Sunday’s Deputy Health Editor, Eve Simmons, pictured, sparked a global conversation in July about an unusual and concerning side effect of cannabis consumption being seen in Los Angeles, where it’s legal. What was it?

11 The world’s first animal- to-human heart transplant took place in January. Which animal did the organ come from?

a. A cow

b. A pig

c. A monkey

12 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in September, aged 96. What did her death certificate give as the official cause of her passing?

13 In April, the Government appointed HRT tsar Madelaine McTernan to fix problems with the supply of some hormone replacement therapy drugs. How long did she last in post?

Hollywood action hero Bruce Willis, 67, this year announced he was ‘stepping away’ from acting, as he has developed a disorder called aphasia. What were the Die Hard star’s main symptoms?

14 Supermodel Kate Moss launched her own ‘wellness’ brand, Cosmoss, in September, featuring face creams and herbal teas, many of which contained which rather dubious ingredient?

a. Champagne

b. Cocaine

c. Cannabis

15 Experts slammed an October study claiming to show that vaping, in the long term, could cause heart damage. Why were they so critical?

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in September, aged 96. What did her death certificate give as the official cause of her passing?

16 Scientists this year finally uncovered the cause of uncombable hair syndrome – sometimes called spun-glass hair – which causes the hair to stick out at all angles, making it almost impossible to tame. What was it?

17 A major study, published in August, found that statins do not cause which side effect commonly attributed to the cholesterol-lowering drugs?

18 There was widespread concern over a mysterious worldwide rise in children suffering hepatitis – inflammation of the liver – over the summer. Fifteen British children needed a liver transplant as a result. Scientists now believe they know the cause. What is it?

a. Covid

b. The Covid vaccine

c. Viral infections

Supermodel Kate Moss launched her own ‘wellness’ brand, Cosmoss, in September, featuring face creams and herbal teas, many of which contained which rather dubious ingredient?

19 A bombshell investigation published in July revealed something shocking about a seminal 2006 study that had suggested that a build-up of certain proteins in the brain causes dementia. What was it?

20 In June, popstar Justin Bieber said he was diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt syndrome. What was his main symptom?

21 Actor and provocateur Laurence Fox claimed in January that he was taking a drug called ivermectin to treat Covid. What is the medication often unflatteringly referred to as?

The UK experienced three heatwaves this summer, with a new record temperature of 40.3C reached on July 19. How many excess deaths for over-65s in England did the heatwaves cause?

22 In July, Kellogg’s lost a legal battle with the Government over new legislation that would see their sugary cereals, including Frosties and Coco Pops, branded as junk food and banned from being displayed prominently in supermarkets. What did they argue that policymakers had failed to take into account?

23 Stocks of obesity-fighting drug semaglutide are running dry, partly due to unfounded rumours that reality TV star Kim Kardashian had taken it. What was the alleged reason for her desire to lose weight fast?

a. To get more attention

b. To find a new husband

c. To fit into a dress once worn by Marilyn Monroe.

24 According to NHS guidance in April, our waist size should be less than half of what?

25 Lake District paramedics in October trialled an innovative new method of getting quickly to patients. What was it?

ANSWERS: 

1 b. Polio was detected in London waste water during routine testing. No UK infections have yet been reported but the amount of virus found suggested it may have been passing asymptomatically between people, sparking a drive to make sure children in the capital were up to date with vaccinations.

2 Monkeypox, a smallpox-like virus. Initial cases kick-started a vaccination programme and infections have now slowed. There have been almost 3,600 cases in the UK, almost all in gay or bisexual men.

3 There were roughly 2,800 excess deaths for people aged 65 and over in England during the heatwaves, marking the highest excess death toll caused by heat in the past two decades.

4 c. Her own prescription antibiotics. Coffey was accused of ‘monumental stupidity’ for saying she shared her medication – which is not only dangerous but also illegal.

5 Calamine lotion. The £1.60- a-bottle lotion is commonly used to ease itchy skin conditions – but became popular as a make-up primer as it ‘dries’ oily skin. Experts warned regular use could cause lasting skin damage.

6 Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, otherwise known as scromiting, a portmanteau of screaming and vomiting, which are the main symptoms of the rare condition. It is caused by intensive cannabis use.

7 Swelling of the brain. In trials, one in ten patients on lecanemab developed this problem, meaning regular scans may be needed, which would drive up the cost of treatment.

8 Mould. Toddler Awaab Ishak died ‘of a severe respiratory condition caused due to prolonged exposure to mould’, a coroner said. The boy’s father had complained to landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing about the issue.

9 Dyslexia. Hancock said he hoped his time in the jungle would help highlight the learning disability. The MP, reportedly paid £400,000 to appear, was later criticised by charity Made By Dyslexia for mentioning his condition only fleetingly.

10 Difficulties speaking and understanding language. Aphasia arises from brain damage, often due to a stroke. It has not been confirmed what caused Bruce Willis’s problems.

11 b. Pig. Although the operation was deemed a success, the patient, 57-year-old David Bennett, who had heart failure, lived for just 61 days.

12 Old age was given as the cause of the Queen’s death.

13 Four months. The former Vaccines Taskforce boss was redeployed to lead the Covid booster programme in September. Last week, new alerts were issued about further shortages of HRT drugs.

14 c. Kate Moss’s face cream contains cannabis seed oil, and a serum is made with cannabidiol, or CBD. Claims that these extracts – which do not have narcotic properties – can boost health have never been proved by medical studies.

The study exposed mice to high doses of the chemicals used in vapes for long periods. This gave the mice palpitations, which, experts said, was not surprising – but not comparable to regular human use

15 The study exposed mice to high doses of the chemicals used in vapes for long periods. This gave the mice palpitations, which, experts said, was not surprising – but not comparable to regular human use.

16 A genetic fault in hair follicles. Ultra-rare uncombable hair syndrome, characterised by blond frizzy hair that is dry and brittle, usually starts between the ages of three months and 12 years. The problem typically disappears by adulthood.

17 Muscle pain. Despite the ‘side effect’ being commonly reported by patients, just one in 15 cases is actually caused by statins, the University of Oxford study found.

18 c. Viral infections. The World Health Organisation has recorded at least 1,000 cases of child hepatitis in 35 countries – and more than 250 in the UK. Studies later showed an adenovirus and the herpes virus were the likely causes.

19 The results of the trial were allegedly faked. The report in Science magazine accused the experts behind the study of manipulating lab test results.

20 Facial paralysis. Ramsey Hunt syndrome is caused by a virus that attacks the facial nerves, causing one side to droop.

21 A horse de-wormer. The medication is often given to children in developing countries to prevent parasitic infections but is also used to treat worms in horses. There is no good evidence that it treats Covid.

22 That cereal is eaten with milk, which makes them less sugary and a more healthy meal. Judge Mr Justice Linden dismissed the claim, and said Kellogg’s failed to acknowledge the role high-sugar foods had in fuelling childhood obesity.

23 To fit into a dress once worn by Marilyn Monroe. Kardashian wore the vintage frock to attend the Met Gala in May. The drug is intended for obese people who suffer problems like type 2 diabetes, but is now being taken by those who simply want to stay slim.

24 Our height. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence produced draft guidance recommending doctors should encourage patients to measure themselves. Those whose waist was more than half their height should be told they are overweight.

25 A jet pack. In the trial, a paramedic flew up a hill in 30mph winds and heavy rain using the high-tech backpack, which has five mini jet engines.