Skin piercings are a common cosmetic and cultural practice across the world. Its main purpose is for the placement of ornaments and jewelry, with the ear lobes being among the most commoly piered area of the body. Piercings are usually safe if done properly and if appropriate measures are taken before and after the >> Read More ...
Infections are one of the most common types of diseases that afflicts humans. It is caused by a number of different infectious agents that are in our environment – from the air around us, to our water supply, foods that we eat, surfaces within our home and even on or within our bodies. Everyday the immune system is >> Read More ...
Human lice are tiny insects that live on the body. It differs from lice found on other animals and the species of lice that affect different parts of the body may also vary. Head lice is by far the most common and can affect both adults and children. Pubic lice is another type that is mainly a problem for adults. Although >> Read More ...
There are many different viruses that cause cold and flu-like symptoms. These viruses tend to target the respiratory tract (nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi), with some infections focused on the upper respiratory tract while others affect the lower respiratory tract. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of >> Read More ...
Chickenpox is a well known infection mainly occurring in children. However, the same virus that causes chickenpox can cause another infection mainly in adults. This condition is known as shingles or herpes zoster and any person who had chickenpox earlier in life is at risk of developing shingles. It is more likely to occur >> Read More ...
What Are Intestinal Parasites? The term parasite refers to organisms that infest another organism where it lives and feeds. Some of these parasites are microscopic and not visible to the naked eye whereas other parasites are relatively large. Human intestinal parasites are either one-cell organisms or intestinal worms >> Read More ...
Most of us known of infectious mononucleousis by its common names, such as mono or glandular fever. It is also commonly known as kissing disease and is said to be spread by the act of kissing. However, this can be misleading as there are many ways in which mono can be spread even without kissing. It is a very common >> Read More ...
Toenails are made up of a protein known as keratin, which is also the main component of hair and the outer layers of skin. Keratin is highly compacted in the nails to form a tough protective layer at the tips of the fingers and toes. Not only is it able to withstand force, it is also able to resist various microbes. >> Read More ...
Every year there is an estimated 12 million cases of sore throat reported to health care providers across the United States. The most common cause of sore throat is Group A Streptococcus, commonly referred to as strep throat. This type of throat infection (pharyngitis) is mainly seen during winter and early spring, and >> Read More ...
What is swine flu? Swine flu , now known as the 2009 H1N1 flu, is caused by the orthomyxovirus which usually affects pigs but viral mutations allows the virus to cross species to other hosts like humans. The swine influenza virus (SIV) is another example of cross species viral infection which was previously seen with other >> Read More ...
