Human immunodeficiency virus, better known as HIV, has changed dramatically from the disease first recognized more than four decades ago. HIV remains a major global public…
Browsing: Infectious Diseases
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral infection that mainly affects babies and young children. For many parents, the first sign may simply look…
Antibiotics are among the greatest achievements in modern medicine. Since their widespread introduction in the twentieth century, these medications have saved millions of lives by treating…
Sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, congestion, and fatigue are symptoms that almost everyone experiences at some point during the year. Because these symptoms overlap, it can…
Overview Tetanus, often called lockjaw, is a life-threatening disease of the nervous system caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. These bacteria live in soil, dust, and…
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash and nerve-related discomfort. It is triggered by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV),…
Scarlet fever, also called scarlatina, is a bacterial infection that develops in some people with strep throat or, less commonly, skin infections such as impetigo. It…
Overview Rubella, also known as German measles or the 3-day measles, is a contagious viral infection best known for its pink or red rash. Although usually…
Overview Rabies is one of the world’s most feared viral infections. Caused by the rabies virus (RABV), it affects the central nervous system and, once symptoms…
Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a viral disease that once terrified entire communities and left thousands of people paralyzed each year. Caused by the poliovirus, it…