Cholera may not be a serious health concern in the United States but ever year this diarrheal disease affects about 3 to 5 million people and lead to around 130,000 deaths globally. Infants and the elderly are often at the greatest risk. Death from diarrheal illnesses as cholera is the leading cause of infant death >> Read More ...
The spread of a brain-infecting parasitic worm in Florida (USA) in 2017 has raised public concern about this otherwise rare infection in humans. These worms are usually found in rats, snails or slugs. While humans are not a natural host, it can cause disease in humans by infecting the brain or sometimes the intestines. >> Read More ...
Every year some 80,000 cases of non-cholera Vibrio infections occur in the United States. In fact these bacteria are responsible for the majority of seafood-related gastroenteritis. While it is often a mild gastrointestinal infection, these bacteria may also be responsible for septicemia as well serious skin and soft >> Read More ...
What is bird flu? Bird flu, also known as avian flu, is an influenza A virus which is spread among birds. Certain strains of this virus can also infect mammals. Of the over dozen strains of bird flu that have been identified, only two strains that can infect humans are currently a cause for concern. However, human >> Read More ...
There are several infections that may be caused by tick bites. The infectious agents, bacteria or viruses, are carried by a tick and enter the bloodstream when the tick feeds on a person. Most of the time these infections are mild and do not lead to any serious complications. However, there are cases where tickborne >> Read More ...
Intestinal infections are frequent occurrence for most people. From what we refer to as the “stomach flu” to food poisoning, bugs that enter mainly with food and water often cause infections of the small and large intestine (bowels). Most of the time these infections are acute and quickly resolve within a few >> Read More ...
Every year there is an estimated 12 million cases of sore throat reported to health care providers across the United States. The most common cause of sore throat is Group A Streptococcus, commonly referred to as strep throat. This type of throat infection (pharyngitis) is mainly seen during winter and early spring, and >> Read More ...
Toenails are made up of a protein known as keratin, which is also the main component of hair and the outer layers of skin. Keratin is highly compacted in the nails to form a tough protective layer at the tips of the fingers and toes. Not only is it able to withstand force, it is also able to resist various microbes. >> Read More ...
Most of us known of infectious mononucleousis by its common names, such as mono or glandular fever. It is also commonly known as kissing disease and is said to be spread by the act of kissing. However, this can be misleading as there are many ways in which mono can be spread even without kissing. It is a very common >> Read More ...
Chickenpox is a well known infection mainly occurring in children. However, the same virus that causes chickenpox can cause another infection mainly in adults. This condition is known as shingles or herpes zoster and any person who had chickenpox earlier in life is at risk of developing shingles. It is more likely to occur >> Read More ...