Doc Talk

We need to find a cure for fake medical news

Patients who believe in false information may decline treatment or drugs, endangering their health

New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Mr X, 60, was taking a post-dinner walk when he felt a sudden tightness in his chest. The discomfort progressively worsened in the next 10 minutes until he found it suffocating.

He started to sweat profusely in his air-conditioned room and then began to feel dizzy. Later, he told me that it felt like it was the end of the world for him.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 23, 2020, with the headline We need to find a cure for fake medical news. Subscribe