If there's something you don't like about yourself on the web, usually Google isn't going to remove it from search results. If you complain, though, Google will remove web pages that include your bank account numbers and other sensitive information. And recently, they added medical records to the list of things they will remove upon request.

You're standing on a beach fully clothed, enjoying a nice barbecue when you see someone in the nearby lake flailing. Naturally you spring into action. If you jumped into the water fully clothed, though, you're about to make it a lot harder to save that drowning person - or even yourself.

While it's almost never a good idea to search for medical symptoms online, Google is at least making the process a little easier on mobile by giving you direct answers to the symptoms you search for.

It's taken for granted far too easily that emergency workers are available to rush to your side with just a phone call. Paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other critical care specialists are ready and waiting to assist, and it's rarely easy work.

Considering 81 per cent of Australian full-time workers have admitted to taking a sick day when they're not ill, it's no wonder bosses are wary of employees who "chuck a sickie". But how far can they go to make you prove that you're really too sick to work? Is it legal for your employer to order you to get a medical assessment?

We've heard that Vicks VapoRub can cure toenail fungus before (it's also helpful when you've got a cold!), but the New York Times recently put it to the test. The results: The thyme in VapoRub can in fact do the job.

Effectively communicating your medical condition to your doctor is of paramount importance when it comes to getting properly diagnosed and treated. The New York Times offers several tips for improving your doctor-patient communications.

Empower yourself with the most accurate medical advice online by utilizing the tools available to you online. CNN proposes that you filter out websites that are not backed by medical professionals and to only focus your energy on those that do have medical credence. Additionally, seek out bloggers who have the same disease so that you can learn more about their personal experiences. Chances are, they have done some substantial research themselves and have linked to the most powerful resources on the subject matter as well which gives you access to additional useful guides and articles. Study the organisations and people who post to determine whether their goal is informational (versus marketing). In the former case, you're usually given more objective information. Combine all tools available to you because nothing works alone. Be curious and view the medical advice from all angles before accepting anything as truth. Tips for Savvy Medical Web Surfing

If you're researching medical terms, you might want to check out Curehunter, a medical dictionary that allows you to search for disease, drug, or therapy information. Type in any term that fits in these parameters, and you'll get in-depth explanations as well as a visual "tree" of related terms. Click on any of these terms to explore relationships; not all of them are necessarily absolutely relevant to your original query, but they do provide good fodder for further research.
CureHunter

Today Microsoft unveils new web application HealthVault, a medical records manager that will let users—and their doctors—store and track personal health information online. As for privacy? The NY Times reports:

The personal information, Microsoft said, will be stored in a secure, encrypted database. Its privacy controls, the company said, are set entirely by the individual, including what information goes in and who gets to see it. The HealthVault searches are conducted anonymously, Microsoft said, and will not be linked to any personal information in a HealthVault personal health record.Microsoft's secured a few major partners in the health industry (with more to come, they hope) who will be able to zap your blood pressure or cholesterol level right into HealthVault during your checkup. You willing to entrust the big MS with your medical records? Let us know in the comments.HealthVault