Scarlet fever, once a feared childhood illness, is still present today but is far less common and generally less severe than it was in the past. It is caused by a bacterial infection with Group A Streptococcus (Strep A), the…
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, specifically by a group of bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), or Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacteria are gram-positive cocci that thrive in the throat and tonsils, leading to inflammation and the…
Adults can indeed get hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), although it is much more common in young children. While children under seven are the primary group affected, adults can catch the virus, especially if they have not been exposed…
Rotavirus infection in adults typically causes symptoms related to the digestive system, although many adults may experience mild or even no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin between 1 to 3 days after exposure to the…
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, fever, and body aches. After being exposed to norovirus, symptoms typically begin quite quickly—usually within 12…
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is extremely common worldwide, affecting a large portion of the population at some point in their lives. In fact, HPV is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally. Studies have shown that the prevalence…
Shingles flare-ups happen when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, reactivates in the body after lying dormant for years. This virus hides in nerve cells near the spinal cord or brain after a person recovers from chickenpox. When the virus…
The early signs of herpes simplex infection typically begin with sensations and symptoms that precede visible sores or blisters. These initial signs can be subtle and vary depending on whether the infection is oral (commonly caused by HSV-1) or genital…
HIV can remain undetected in the body for varying lengths of time depending on the type of test used and the stage of infection. After exposure to HIV, there is a “window period” during which the virus is present but…
Hepatitis C can indeed be cured completely in the vast majority of cases, thanks to modern antiviral treatments. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the body so that it is undetectable for at…