infectious disease

While rhinovirus infections are highly contagious, they rarely lead to life-threatening complications. However, rhinoviruses are often fatal for high-risk cancer patients. Rhinovirus infection, which is more common during spring and fall, is likely to cause only mild symptoms, with the virus being by far the predominant cause of the common cold, especially in children. Human …

If not promptly treated, rheumatic fever can have long-term side effects such as rheumatic heart disease, which weakens the valves between the heart’s chambers. The majority of rheumatic fever (RF) symptoms go away after a few weeks or months, but recurrence and certain complications are common. Usually, heart and joint ailments are long-term consequences of RF. The following are some …

What is ivermectin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic medication. Ivermectin works by binding to invertebrate muscle and nerve cells of parasites, causing paralysis and death of parasites. Ivermectin is active against the non-adult form of Onchocerca volvulus. Ivermectin is also active against the intestinal activity of Strongyloides stercoralis. The FDA approved ivermectin in …

After exposure to the virus, someone with mono can be contagious for months, even before symptoms start and after symptoms subside Infectious mononucleosis, also called mono, is a contagious disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It’s unclear how long someone with mono is contagious, although they are definitely contagious while they have symptoms. However, if you are …

Brain eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) infection facts Naegleria fowleri is also known as the brain-eating amoeba. Naegleria is easy to miss if doctors do not look for it. Like bacterial meningitis, diagnosis requires a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). Naegleria fowleri is an ameba (amoeba) that is common throughout the world and lives in soil and warm freshwater. When conditions are favorable, usually summer, it …

A boy has a staph infection on his arm.Source: iStock Facts you should know about a staph infection Staphylococcus (sometimes called "staph") is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections may cause disease due to direct infection or due to the production of toxins by the bacteria. Boils, impetigo, food poisoning, cellulitis, and toxic …

Viruses cause some of the most common infections all over the world, including COVID-19. Here are the most common viral infections. Viruses are tiny germs that cause some of the most common infections all over the world, including the current global COVID-19 pandemic.  Some of the most common viral infections include: Common cold Influenza (flu) Herpes Chickenpox Mumps Human papillomavirus …

Yaws is an infectious disease that mainly occurs in the tropical areas of South and Central America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pertenue, which causes lesions that look like bumps on the skin of the feet, hands, face, and genital area. Yaws is treated with penicillin or another antibiotic. Yaws …

Facts you should know about West Nile virus Picture of a mosquito transmitting West Nile virus to a human West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus capable of causing disease in humans. Symptoms and signs of West Nile virus include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Severe symptoms and signs may include stiff neck, sleepiness, disorientation, …

Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a disease caused by the inhalation of the Coccidioides immitis or C. posadasii fungus. Symptoms are flu-like and resolve over two to six weeks. Infection typically requires no treatment, though there are many antifungal drugs to treat valley fever. Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi (Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii species) that in …