Viral diseases

Definition Molluscum contagiosum is a mild skin disease (skin infection) caused by a virus (molluscum contagiosum virus, a member of the Poxviridae family) that causes usually painless small bumps or lumps (flesh-colored or skin-colored, dome-shaped papules); some may be umbilicated, meaning the lesion has a central depression with a spot …

Definition Plantar warts are a type of wart that develops on the soles of your feet. They’re quite annoying at first, and may even become painful if they grow large. The wart develops in the outer layer of the skin and is typically covered with a layer of callus tissue. …

Overview Aseptic meningitis is an illness characterized by serous inflammation of the linings of the brain (i.e., meninges), usually with an accompanying mononuclear pleocytosis. Clinical manifestations vary, with headache and fever predominating. The illness is usually mild and runs its course without treatment; however, some cases can be severe and …

Description The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory disease caused by a newly recognized coronavirus, MERS-CoV. It was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and is thus far linked to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. Laboratory-confirmed MERS has now been identified in Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, …

Definition Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common and contagious childhood illness, caused by a virus. The disease is easy to spot because of its classic symptoms sores or blisters inside and outside the mouth, as well as a rash (red spots) or sores on the palms of …

Overview – Rubella Rubella is commonly known as German measles or 3-day measles — is an infection that mostly affects the skin and lymph nodes. It is caused by the rubella virus (not the same virus that causes measles). German measles spreads when people breathe in virus-infected fluid, such as …

Overview – Rotavirus Infection Rotavirus Infection is caused by Rotavirus, a contagious virus that causes diarrhea. It’s the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children worldwide, resulting in over 215,000 deaths annually. Before the development of a vaccine, most children in the United States had been infected with …

Introduction Adenoviruses (Adenovirus infection) are a group of common viruses that infect the lining of your eyes, airways and lungs, intestines, urinary tract, and nervous system. They’re common causes of fever, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and pink eye. Infections happen in children more often than in adults, but anyone can …