Infectious Diseases

Tetanus is an infection caused by a bacteria known as Clostridium tetani. The bacteria enters your body when you receive a puncture wound that introduces the bacteria into your blood stream....

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection that can be caused by several viruses. Approximately 5-20 percent of people in the United States contract the flu each year. The flu vaccine is a...

The MRSA infection is a resistant strain of the staphylococcus bacteria. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is the actual name of the infection, and it can be very difficult to treat....

Shigella are bacteria that cause an infection called shigellosis. Shigellosis is marked by diarrhea, stomach cramping and fever. Since shigellosis is an infectious disease that can be serious in...

Group B Strep is an infection caused by a bacteria often found in a pregnant women's vagina or rectum. If not treated, this infection can pass to the baby during birth and cause serious illnesses...

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by bacteria that attack your lungs. According the Mayo Clinic, TB kills about 2 million people every year, especially in Africa and Asia.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can also lead to muscle pain in the calves and other body parts. The pain may be caused by inflammation, spasm, or cramps in the muscles.

The swine flu, also known as H1N1, is a virus that appeared in 2009. Though its symptoms are similar to the regular flu, humans have no natural immunity to the swine flu. A vaccine for the disease...

Salmonella is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Most people get a salmonella infection by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.

The rabies virus is transmitted from the saliva of an infected mammal into the blood or mucous membranes (i.e., eyes, mouth, nose) of a human victim. The virus then migrates into the peripheral...

Meningitis refers to an infection--in this case the infection of the brain membrane and upper spinal cord. These delicate areas of the body can become infected just like the sinuses; in many ways,...

Nosocomial wounds are unrelated to a patient's primary condition---they are wounds the patient receives in a hospital, as a result of nosocomial infections, also called health care-associated...

Swine flu, more correctly known as 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.

A muscle cramp is an involuntary, prolonged, forcible contraction of a muscle that can be extremely painful. If you have influenza, or flu, you may experience muscle cramps for a couple of reasons.

Varicella-zoster virus, also referred to as shingles, is a viral infection. It is caused the by the virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has been infected with chickenpox, the virus lies...

Rotavirus is a preventable infection that causes diarrhea and vomiting. This gastrointestinal illness can potentially affect babies and children with vomiting, fever and severe diarrhea. If the...

Group Beta Strep (also called GBS) is a bacteria that lives in the small intestine. Though uncommon, its transmission from the mother to the newborn may result in serious illness and even death.

Salmonella is a microscopic organism that lives in the digestive tracts of animals and is transmitted through fecal contamination or contact with infected animals. Once ingested, it takers root in...

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious and often fatal lung infection. It is an airborne infection spread from person to person. Typically, when a person infected with TB coughs, sneezes, speaks...

Influenza, or flu, is a contagious infection caused by a virus that primarily attacks the respiratory system. When the virus affects other parts of the body, you may have symptoms such as joint pain.

Candida naturally occurs in the body. It can be found in the mouth, digestive tract, the vagina, or skin folds. According to Native Remedies, candida isn't harmful when it exists within the body's...

Tamiflu is an oral tablet containing a number of active and inactive ingredients. The purpose behind the drug is to help fight off the virus that causes influenza. Tamiflu is designed for patients...

Pinworms are parasites that can infest the body’s lower digestive system. Pinworms are the most common type of worm infection in the U.S., with children facing the highest infection rates. Each...

Enteric diseases are infections that develop in the intestinal tract and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Recognizing the symptoms of these diseases can reduce the chance of...

Homeopathy is a safe, effective, inexpensive way to treat any type of flu. According to flusolution.net, during the 1918 flu pandemic, conventional doctors saw a roughly thirty percent mortality...

Humans are susceptible to many parasitic worms, which generally infest the intestinal tract but can spread and thrive elsewhere in the body. While some are serious and even fatal if left...

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the digestive system. You can get it from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. It is most commonly found in chicken and eggs....

Salmonellosis, also referred to as salmonella, is a bacterial infection found in feces. Salmonella typically affect the intestines. Humans can become infected with salmonella posing when they...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, group B streptococcus is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborns, but it can also cause serious illness among...

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) advises flu sufferers to stay home except for medical treatment. Flu treatment involves a few simple steps beginning when the...

Chicken pox, or varicella, is an extremely contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It may cause body aches, fever, fatigue, irritability and, what it is most noted for, itchy...

Driving across town in the hope of getting a flu shot. Calling your physician to get a flu shot just to hear they do not have them. The flu season is challenging enough without the added hassle...

Chloroquine is the generic form of a prescription medication that can be taken orally or intravenously. Despite its effectiveness in treating malaria, chloroquine has the potential to cause a...

The 2009 flu season will probably go down in history as being one that caused great anxiety for parents. A big part of the anxiety and frustration is due to conflicting information from many...

Shigella is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract that can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. This type of infection can be diagnosed by a laboratory test of a stool sample.

Salmonella infection outbreaks are caused by salmonella bacteria. Outbreaks are spread by water and food that has become contaminated by feces that contain the bacteria. Salmonella bacteria can...

The flu is caused by a virus that invades your entire respiratory system and can cause you to be bedridden for days. For those who want to avoid the flu, there are no sure-fire strategies...

Most people will not start showing symptoms until days after being exposed to the swine flu, or H1N1 virus. Understanding the incubation and contagious periods of the flu can assist in reducing...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately one million people diagnosed with shingles each year in the U.S. This painful disease occurs mostly in people...

Candida infections are yeast (fungal) infections that can affect your skin, genitals, mouth and throat. In addition, a systemic candida infection can be serious, requiring immediate treatment.

Botulinum toxin, known better as botox, is commonly used as a cosmetic treatment for preventing wrinkles. In addition to treating wrinkles, botox is useful as treatment for various disorders. One...

Streptococcus Agalactiae, also referred to as group B strep infection, is a common bacteria found in the human body. Typically, in otherwise healthy adults, streptococcus agalactiae is harmless....

Meningitis is a contagious disease that can be bacterial or viral. Viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and milder. The University of Maryland Medical Center states bacterial...

Flesh-eating bacteria, or necrotizing fasciitis, is an infection most commonly caused by Strep A bacteria. The infection destroys soft tissue at the subcutaneous level. Many of its symptoms begin...

Golden staph or Staphylococcus aureus is the most common type of staph infection. It is usually found in the nose and on the skin. Golden staph can cause a range of disorders including impetigo,...

Candida albicans is an infection that can seriously effect a person's overall health. There are various all-natural cures and solutions to this problem and using tea is one of the options available.

Mononucleosis, also referred to the "kissing disease," is a common viral infection that affects many young people in the United States. It was given its nickname because teenagers often pass the...

No one knows the exact geographic location of the first human flu case, but it probably occurred about 6,000 years ago. Although a flu-like epidemic struck the Greek army in Athens in 412 B.C.,...

The term "swine flu" for the 2009 novel H1N1 virus is actually a misnomer based on early laboratory findings.

Avian flu, commonly known as bird flu, is a respiratory infection caused by specific viruses. Although it begins in birds, it can be transmitted to humans.