infectious disease

How many types of COVID-19 vaccines are in development? More than 150 vaccine candidates against the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are in various stages of development. One from Pfizer-BioNTech was cleared for emergency use in the US in mid-December 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has afflicted millions of people worldwide. This global crisis …

What is raxibacumab, and how is it used? raxibacumab is a prescription medicine used along with antibiotic medicines to treat people with inhalational anthrax. Raxibacumab can also be used to prevent anthrax disease when there are no other treatment options. The effectiveness of raxibacumab has been studied only in animals with inhalational anthrax. There have been no studies in people …

What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that can have severe complications in adults. Adults are 25 times more likely to die from chickenpox than children are. Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. It's a highly contagious disease that used to be very common. Before the vaccine became available in the United States in …

What is E. Coli? Since E. coli lives in the intestines, it leaves the body through fecal matter, from either humans or animals. In most cases, E. coli goes away without any medical treatment. E. coli is a family of bacteria that lives in the intestines. Most strains of these bacteria are harmless, but some release toxins that can make …

Facts you should know about onchocerciasis Photo of a blackfly; SOURCE: CDC Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease that may cause blindness. It occurs mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and a few isolated areas in the Americas (Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela) and is transmitted by blackfly bites. It is called river blindness as the blackfly that transmits the disease lives …

What is Fetroja (cefiderocol), and how does it work? Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTIs), Including Pyelonephritis Fetroja (cefiderocol) is indicated in patients 18 years of age or older for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae complex. Hospital-acquired Bacterial …

What is Lampit (nifurtimox), and how does it work? Lampit is a prescription medicine used to treat Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in children less than 18 years of age weighing at least 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). It is not known if Lampit is safe and effective in children weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). What …

What is Mycobacterium marinum? Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is a slow-growing atypical mycobacterium that is commonly found in bodies of fresh or saltwater in many parts of the world. Skin infections with Mycobacterium marinum in humans are relatively uncommon and are usually acquired from contact with contents of aquariums or fish. Most infections occur following skin exposure to the bacteria …

What is Noxafil (posaconazole), and how does it work? Noxafil injection, delayed-release tablets, and oral suspension are prescription medicines used to help prevent fungal infections that can spread throughout your body (invasive fungal infections). These infections are caused by fungi called Aspergillus or Candida. Noxafil is used in people who have an increased chance of getting these infections due to …

What is a yeast infection? Yeast infections may affect the mouth, skin or vagina. Yeast infections are mainly caused by yeast-like fungus named Candida or Monilia. This fungus is a normal resident of your body. Usually, your body’s immunity keeps this fungus under control. It causes infection if you are sick or taking any antibiotics. Your mouth, skin, nails, food pipe …