Definition Cholera is an acute bacterial infection of the intestine caused by ingestion of food or water containing Vibrio cholerae, serogroups O1 or O139. Symptoms include acute watery diarrhea and vomiting which can result in severe dehydration or water loss. When left untreated, death can occur rapidly – sometimes within …
Read More »Psittacosis or Parrot Disease – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Psittacosis is an uncommon infectious disease that is most often transmitted to humans through exposure to infected birds, especially parrots, cockatiels, parakeets and similar pet birds. Psittacosis can affect the lungs and may cause inflammatory illness of the lungs (pneumonia). Additional common symptoms include fever, muscle pain (myalgia), headaches, …
Read More »Barber’s Itch – Types, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Folliculitis barbae is the medical term for a common condition called barber’s itch; this condition is an infectious skin disease which arises on the bearded facial areas of people who are unlucky enough to contract the disease. The disease develops and the first signs of the condition are the …
Read More »Whipworm Infection – Definition, Symptoms, and Treatment.
Definition Whipworm infection is an infection of the large intestine with a type of roundworm. Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is an intestinal parasite of humans. The larvae and adult worms live in the intestine of humans and can cause intestinal disease. The name is derived from the worm’s distinctive whip-like shape. …
Read More »Cat Scratch Disease – Definition, Risk factors, and Prevention.
Definition Cat scratch disease is an infection you can get after a cat scratches, bites, or licks you. It is caused by bacteria in cat saliva. Cats likely get the bacteria from fleas. Cat-scratch disease is also called cat-scratch fever. It is not a severe illness in healthy people. But …
Read More »Ear Infection – Causes, Complications, and Control.
Introduction An ear infection (acute otitis media) is most often a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. Ear infections frequently are painful …
Read More »Mononucleosis – Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention.
Definition Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono is transmitted through saliva, so you can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed through a cough or sneeze, or by sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono. …
Read More »Strep Throat – Casues, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. This common condition is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It can affect children and adults of all ages. However, it’s especially common in children between the ages of 5 and 15. …
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