Viruses

The H1N1 virus is an influenza virus. It is also known as swine flu as its genes are similar to that which occur in North American pigs (hence, swine). The H1N1 virus is highly contagious and can...

Yeast infections that are otherwise known as 'Candidiasis', are caused by a fungus or yeast called 'Candida albicans'. Yeast infections are developed in the parts like nail beds, dentures,...

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by a reactivation of the herpes virus varicella zoster, which causes chickenpox. Shingles produces a blistering rash, usually along the path...

Shingles vaccine side effects are rare, and when they do occur, typically they are mild. There are some cases, however, where there has been some real medical concern. Shingles is a herpes strain...

The flu virus is highly contagious and, as with most viruses, cannot be cured with medication. The flu is sensitive to changes in body temperatures above 98.6. Fever is the body's way of fighting...

The flu is a highly contagious virus that affects the upper respiratory system. Symptoms include fever, nasal congestion and coughing. Flu sufferers also may experience swollen glands, body ache...

Seasonal "flu" (influenza) vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months through 18 years old. In particular, toddlers have a higher risk of getting the flu or becoming very sick from it, so...

Vaccines to protect people from hepatitis B virus infection have been available in the U.S. since 1981. The hepatitis B vaccines currently licensed for use in this country are recombinant...

If someone in your home has the flu, cleaning thoroughly will prevent the germ from spreading to every member of your household. Cleaning your hands after you touch surfaces in public will help...

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox--the varicella zoster virus. If you had chicken pox as a child, you may mysteriously develop shingles as an adult. It is more common...

Varicella, or chicken pox, typically has mild symptoms but may cause serious complications for infants and adults. Since the first varicella vaccine was licensed in 1995 in the United States,...

Tapeworms are parasitic worms that lodge into the intestines of some animals, commonly dogs, and sometimes humans. The different segments of tapeworms lay eggs that pass through the anus with...

To compare smallpox to chickenpox, you should know the signs, symptoms, causes and effects of each disease. Smallpox and chickenpox both have signs and symptoms similar to the flu, including...

Viruses are very small particles (an individual viral particle is called a virion) that are nonliving but which contain genetic information and can infect other organisms. Those that can...

Shingles, or herpes zooster, is a painful viral infection of the nerves. It commonly affects older adults or people with weakened immune systems. Often a rash will appear on one side of the body...

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. It causes a painful rash that usually starts in the middle of your back and travels around one side to the breast bone.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis in the United...

According to Centers of Disease Control (CDC) records, February is most often the height of flu season in the U.S., followed by the month of January. The reasons why flu outbreaks follow the...

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 5 to 20 percent of Americans catch the flu annually. Most are infected during the fall and winter months.

H1N1, formerly known as swine flu can be devastating. However, many sufferers recover without incident. Many seriously ill victims of H1N1 have predisposing medical conditions that contributed to...

Fifth disease is a contagious viral infection caused by parvovirus B19. The difficulty with Fifth disease is that it is highly contagious primarily before the tell tale symptoms that cause it to...

Determining whether you have bacterial or viral sinusitis is important when it comes to trying to treat the problem. There are many ways to distinguish between the two.

Chicken pox (varicella-zoster virus) can be treated with antiviral medications to reduce the symptoms of the disease. These antivirals must be taken within 24 hours of symptoms appearing. Because...

Gastroenteritis, also known as a stomach virus, can leave you feeling fatigued and nauseated. Common symptoms of gastroenteritis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and sometimes fever. ...

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the most common herpes simplex virus and is usually associated with cold sores. According to the National Institutes of Health, by adulthood, 30 to 90...

Epstein-Barr is a virus in the herpes family that affects most people in their lifetimes. Viral meningitis is a virus that has many causes, and Epstein-Barr is one of them.

Ebola is a virus that causes a deadly and extremely contagious illness called Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The disease affects humans as well as primates.

Swine flu experts are everywhere. How do you tell the difference between accurate swine flu information vs. rumors about the H1N1 virus? When you are researching any medical subject you need to...

Viruses are capable of spreading to a human host in a variety of ways. Since a virus is incapable of surviving on its own, it needs a host so that it can multiply. Viruses are capable of infecting...

Genital warts are one of the most common venereal diseases. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and can cause cervical cancer. About 30% go away without treatment. The underlying...

Rotavirus is a virus that occurs when fecal particles are spread to the mouth. The virus causes vomiting and diarrhea. Most children have been infected with the virus by the time they are 2,...

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human virus. Most people in the world become infected with EBV. Symptoms depend on the age of the patient when the infection occurs.

Glandular fever is a disease commonly known as mononucleosis. Mono, as it is also called, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Since the condition is a virus, antibiotics cannot increase the speed...

A sore throat, funny-sounding voice, fever and trouble getting food down are just a few symptoms of tonsillitis, a fairly common illness among children. Though it can become a more serious...

With millions of children attending child care centers and child care home, and with the H1N1 virus being more virulent in children, parents and care givers need to know what to look for and what...

Rabies is a mammalian virus that affects the nerves. It's transferred to humans through the bite of a rabid animal, which is usually a skunk, raccoon, bats or foxes. Rabies is a serious disease...

Viral conjunctivitis causes the conjunctiva, the tissue lining the inside of the eye, to become inflamed. Viral conjunctivitis is commonly called pinkeye, due to the red or pink appearance of the...

Viral meningitis is the most common form of the illness, but you can also get meningitis from bacteria or fungus. Viral meningitis is the most contagious of the three forms and is usually caused...

Herpes is a virus which exists in two different strains: HSV-1, which manifests as oral herpes or cold sores, and HSV-2, which is expressed as genital herpes. According to the U.S. National...

Viral meningitis is most often caused by an enterovirus. These viruses are typically spread by coming into contact with fecal matter of an infected person. Common ways to spread viral meningitis...

The swine flu, or H1N1, can be transmitted in many ways, including pig to human, human to pig, human to human and pig to pig. When the virus is spread from person to person, it is spread the same...

In April of 2009, the swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, started to spread throughout the world. As deaths mounted from the disease, it was declared a pandemic by the Centers for Disease...

When peripheral vertigo, also known as labyrinthitis, occurs, it seems like the room is spinning but you are not. At its worst, you are unable to stand or even lift your head. Most of the causes...

It is estimated that 1 million Americans develop shingles each year, causing painful itching, irritation, and inflammation. Similar to childhood chicken pox, people suffering from shingles are...

Being exposed to shingles will not cause you to get the shingles; but, as long as you have never had chickenpox you can get the chickenpox virus through contact with the fluid of the blisters that...

Rabies is a virus transmitted by a bite or other contact with the saliva of an infected mammal such as a raccoon or skunk. The virus then multiplies in the mammalian host and infects the nervous...

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus in the herpes family that over half of Americans have been exposed to by age 40, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The herpes virus spreads from skin to skin contact and is usually associated with a sexually...

Is your child sick from the flu and you've been wondering what you can feed her to restore vital nutrients and aid the healing process? Because the flu can be a volatile virus, what she can eat...

Foot-and-mouth disease, or as it is more appropriately called, hoof-and-mouth disease, since it affects cloven-footed animals such as pigs, sheep, goats, and cattle, is an untreatable disease. It...