It is the most commonly reported STD and two to three times more common than gonorrhea yet many people, both men and women, do not know that they have chlamydia. In fact as many as 8 out of 10 women and 5 out of 10 men may have no symptoms of chlamydia despite being infected. It can still be spread to partners and even >> Read More ...
The confusion between the common cold and flu (seasonal influenza) is understandable as both present in a very similar manner, arise suddenly and resolve on its own within a few days. However, there are differences between these viral infections and with the concern about new and possibly more deadly strains of the flu, it >> Read More ...
Malaria at one time was the cause of as many as 3 million deaths across the globe. Although global efforts have significantly lowered the loss of lives from malaria, it continues to be a dangerous infectious diseases that kills hundreds of thousands of people annually. Malaria is still a major health risk in parts of >> Read More ...
What is SARS? Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral infection that causes a contagious respiratory illness which can lead to death. It should not be confused with the bird flu or swine flu which are also viral infections but caused by different strains of the influenza virus which are related to the seasonal >> Read More ...
With new viral outbreaks like SARS (2002-2004) and the swine flu (2009) suddenly causing multiple deaths across the globe, any new virus that emerges among humans is naturally a cause for concern. One of the more recent such viruses is MERS (2012). It has some similarities to SARS and like other viruses it has been traced >> Read More ...
Oral and genital herpes are well known viral infections caused by two types of the same virus known as the herpes simplex virus. There is no cure for this viral infection and it affects people throughout the world. However, antiviral drugs can manage the condition in terms of duration and >> Read More ...
Although rabies has posed a threat to animals and humans for centuries, the development of a vaccine in 1885 has greatly reduced the threat of human rabies especially in recent times. There are only about 2 to 3 cases of human rabies in the United States every year. However, popular media has ignited a fear that the rabies >> Read More ...
Yaws is not a widely known disease and does not occur in the USA but this does not make it insignificant to Americans. With global travel patterns yaws should be a concern for every traveler and in particular for children. It can be transmitted through direct skin contact and may lead to severe disfigurement and >> Read More ...
Meningococcal disease is a condition that most parents in the United States have become familiar with in recent times. Immunization against this disease is sometimes mandatory in settings where children and adolescents will be living in close proximity for an extended period of time, like at summer camp or in dormitories. >> Read More ...
What is often termed as an ‘itchy bum’ among children may be a symptom of a pinworm infection. It is not a serious condition but is very common occurrence among young children. However, older children, adolescents and adults may also be at risk of what is sometimes called ‘childhood worms’ if they >> Read More ...
