Human Infections

A cold or the flu can make a person feel miserable, but with influenza now such a serious concern, it's important to know the difference between these two infections.

Nov 4, 2009 - Tami Port

Chickenpox and shingles are caused by varicella zoster herpesvirus. Can a person catch chickenpox from someone with shingles, and vice versa? Here's the low-down on VZV.

Oct 26, 2009 - Tami Port

The CDC is recommending that everyone be vaccinated against seasonal influenza and H1N1 swine flu this year. Those in high risk groups will be vaccinated first.

Oct 17, 2009 - Tami Port

Here is what the average person can do to protect him or herself from becoming ill with the flu, seasonal or the new H1N1 influenza pandemic virus.

Sep 10, 2009 - Tami Port

In 2009, the world has to worry not only about seasonal influenza, but also the new H1N1 swine flu. These are different infections, caused by distinct viruses.

Aug 6, 2009 - Tami Port

The strains of virus that cause the annual seasonal flu are different than the new swine flu virus that emerged in the spring of 2009. Here are the key distinctions.

Aug 6, 2009 - Tami Port

A refreshing dip in a contaminated pool or hot tub can sometimes lead to an itchy rash all over the body. Learn the causes and treatment of hot tub itch folliculitis.

Jul 15, 2009 - Tami Port

Medications and vaccines are available to treat and prevent some STIs. Still these diseases are on the rise. Many cause no symptoms; spread by those unaware of infection.

Jul 8, 2009 - Tami Port

Food poisoning is a general term for when a person becomes ill from something they've ingested. Here's the lowdown on the prevention and treatment of food-borne illness.

Jul 4, 2009 - Tami Port

Food poisoning is a general term used when a person has become ill from something that they've ingested. Here's the lowdown on causes and symptoms of food-borne illness.

Jun 27, 2009 - Tami Port

The reluctance to vaccinate boys against cervical cancer-causing HPV may soon change. Research reveals a connection between oral cancers the HPV virus.

Jun 17, 2009 - Tami Port

There's a frightening link between oral cancers and the genital HPV virus. Soon the HPV vaccine Gardisil will be approved for use in both men and women.

Jun 13, 2009 - Tami Port

Some papillomaviruses do more than cause unsightly warts. A few strains of HPV cause sexually transmitted genital warts that can lead to cancer. Vaccinate your preteen.

Jun 8, 2009 - Tami Port

Is it the flu, a cold or a bacterial infection? A fast test to screen for influenza virus takes the guesswork out of treatment.

Jun 4, 2009 - Tami Port

The World Health Organization (WHO) has a six-phase formal set of guidelines to help communities and health care agencies prepare for and respond to global epidemics.

May 4, 2009 - Tami Port

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges that line and protect the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when bacteria or viruses breech the blood-brain barrier.

Apr 14, 2009 - Tami Port

Whether you are a patient or a health care worker, nosocomial infections are a type of illness that you should be concerned about. Read on and help protect yourself.

Jan 31, 2009 - Tami Port

There are many different oral and nasal zinc products currently on the market. All claim to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. Do they work?

Jan 8, 2009 - Tami Port

What causes the common cold and the miserable symptoms that result when you become infected? A tiny virus and your own immune system in overdrive are to blame.

Dec 9, 2008 - Tami Port

Clostridium difficile (aka C. diff or CDF) has recently emerged as a serious infectious agent, both deadly and resistant to antibiotics. Why is C. diff a superbug?

Oct 10, 2008 - Tami Port

Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB is an infectious bacterial disease of the respiratory system that can disseminate into a deadly systemic infection.

Aug 4, 2008 - Tami Port

The genus Mycobacterium contains many members, few of which are pathogens. But when pathogenic, chronic diseases such as tuberculosis and Hansen's Disease may result.

Aug 4, 2008 - Tami Port

The tuberculosis skin test (TST) is a simple and valuable tool for detecting tuberculosis exposure and infection. But testing positive does not always indicate TB.

Aug 2, 2008 - Tami Port

The classic childhood viral rashes include chickenpox (Varicella zoster), erythemia infectiosum (Fifth's disease), roseola, rubella and rubeola (measles).

Jul 31, 2008 - Tami Port

German Measles (rubella) and Rubeola (measles) are similar childhood infectious rashes caused by RNA viruses.

Jul 13, 2008 - Tami Port