Sporotrichosis facts* *Sporotrichosis facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Sporotrichosis (also termed rose gardener’s or rose handler’s disease) is an infection caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii, found throughout the world; it is usually associated with minor skin cuts and scrapes that occur when handling vegetation (moss, hay, wood, sharp-stemmed plants like rosebushes)....
Polio facts Picture of a Polio Vaccine Bottle Polio is an infectious disease caused by viruses. The symptoms may range from none to paralysis and death. Polio has been traced back almost 6,000 years. Great strides have been made in preventing this disease. Polio is caused by person-to-person transmission of polio viruses (enteroviruses, three main...
Shigellosis facts* *Shigellosis facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. There are four species of Shigella: Shigella sonnei (the most common species in the U.S.) Shigella flexneri Shigella boydii Shigella dysenteriae The transmission of most Shigella infections is caused by the bacterium...
Facts you should know about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection Respiratory Viral Infections RSV is a highly contagious virus infection that is most prevalent during the winter season. Most children who develop an RSV infection have mild symptoms of fever, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and cough. High-risk groups are more likely to have a more...
Lassa fever facts Picture of Lassa fever virus structure Lassa fever is one of the hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and others. Unlike Ebola virus, Lassa fever is not as contagious person to person, nor as deadly. Lassa virus is typically transmitted by the urine or feces of Mastomys rats to humans....
What is Mycobacterium marinum? Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is a slow-growing atypical mycobacterium that is commonly found in bodies of fresh or saltwater in many parts of the world. Skin infections with Mycobacterium marinum in humans are relatively uncommon and are usually acquired from contact with contents of aquariums or fish. Most infections occur following...
Nipah virus infection (NiV) facts Share Your Story Nipah virus (NiV) is a member of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus and is related to Hendra virus that infects horses. NiV is a zoonotic virus (a disease that animals can transmit to humans, known as a zoonosis); the virus often infects animals such as pigs and...
Adenovirus 14 (Ad14) facts Adenovirus 14 is one of a group of viruses that can cause infections of the lung, stomach, intestine, and eyes. It is very contagious. Adenovirus 14 (Ad14) is termed the killer cold virus because of the high incidence of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to the viral strain. Ad14 viruses are passed...
What is a staph infection? Most staph infections are not serious, but they can occasionally be dangerous. A Staphylococcus or staph infection is caused by a germ that may be found in 30% of healthy people’s noses. Most of the time, these bacteria do not cause any health problems. However, in some people, it may...
Microsporidiosis facts Microsporidiosis is a disease that is caused by small parasites called microsporidia. Generally, microsporidia do not cause disease in healthy people but rather in people with immune system deficiency. Microsporidiosis can cause chronic diarrhea, kidney disease, and infection of the sinuses and eyes. Diagnosing microsporidiosis requires laboratory testing. Treatment of microsporidiosis requires medications...