Facts you should know about Q fever Q fever is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious illness. Q fever is caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnetii; infected animals transmit Q fever to humans. Q fever can occur in an acute form and a chronic form. Q fever can cause complications of pneumonia,...
Facts you should know about Cyclospora infection (cyclosporiasis) Cyclospora is a small parasitic organism. It is passed to humans when they ingest food contaminated with feces from an infected person. It is most common in tropical countries, and imported foods such as lettuce have caused foodborne outbreaks in the United States. Travelers to tropical or...
Ticks feed on blood and can bite humans or animals.Source: ThinkStock Tick facts Ticks are scientifically classified as Arachnida (a classification that includes spiders). The fossil record suggests ticks have been around at least 90 million years. Most tick bites do not transmit harmful microbes. There are a variety of tick-borne diseases. There is a...
What is shingles? Shingles is a viral infection that causes painful rashes on the body. Shingles is triggered by a weakened or compromised immune system. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a virus infection that causes painful rashes on the body, usually on one side of your torso. It is caused by the varicella-zoster...
What is scarlet fever? Scarlet fever is caused by group A Streptococcus. If the bacteria attack your throat, it's called strep. If it gives you a skin rash, it's scarlet fever. Scarlet fever, or scarlatina, is a bacterial infection that typically affects children and teenagers. It’s caused by a type of bacteria called group A...
Facts you should know about cysticercosis (pork tapeworm infection) Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by ingesting the eggs of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. Human tapeworm infection (taeniasis) occurs after ingesting raw or undercooked pork, and cysticercosis occurs after the ingestion of Taenia solium eggs. The symptoms of neurocysticercosis may include headaches, confusion, seizures,...
What is sepsis? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Sepsis is an illness that affects all parts of the body; it occurs in response to an infection and can become life-threatening. If not treated quickly, organ failure can occur, leading to septic shock, low blood pressure, and eventually, death. Sepsis is a general term that...
Viruses cause some of the most common infections all over the world, including COVID-19. Here are the most common viral infections. Viruses are tiny germs that cause some of the most common infections all over the world, including the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most common viral infections include: Common cold Influenza (flu)...
Facts you should know about tularemia Tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Tularemia affects animals and humans. Humans acquire tularemia when they come into contact with infected animals or are bitten by insects that feed on infected animals. Tularemia may be spread through inhalation of dried animal matter, eating undercooked game, skinning or...
A doctor examining a woman’s neck for swollen lymph nodes.Source: Getty Images What should I know about swollen lymph nodes (glands)? Lymph nodes, also referred to as lymph glands, are important part of the immune system. Lymph nodes are located throughout the body but are visible and able to be felt (palpable) only when they...