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Infectious Diseases: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Kissing Diseases
Mononucleosis, or nono, is known as the “kissing disease,” but did you know that there are several infectious diseases that can be spread through kissing and saliva?
Antibiotic Choice
With so many different kinds of antibiotics available, how does your health care provider know which to prescribe? Find out what your doctor needs to know before choosing the right antibiotic.
Cholera
Find out about symptoms, treatment, and prevention of cholera, caused by the bacteria, Vibrio cholera. Learn about the epidemiology of this common epidemic and tips for travelers on preventing infection.
Sushi Scares
What are the infectious disease risks associated with eating sushi? Read about parasites and other microbial infections associated with raw or undercooked fish.
Milk-borne Diseases
It's a staple in most households, but do you know the infectious disease risks associated with milk and other dairy products? Why is pasteurization important? How do you prevent milk-borne diseases?
Mononucleosis
Mono or Mononucleosis is sometimes called the Kissing Disease because it is common among young adults and teenagers and spread through saliva. Find out more about symptoms of Mono and how to treat the disease.
Latent TB
Latent tuberculosis or TB is an infection that is not symptomatic or contagious. What causes latent tuberculosis? How do you know if you have it? What precautions should you take if you have it?
Food-borne Staph
Explosive vomiting and tummy troubles after the school picnic? Sounds like Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning. Find out what foods are commonly contaminated with Staph and whether or not you should be worried.
Pasteurization of Milk
Pasteurization of milk is an important process that limits the spread of milk-borne infectious diseases. Learn more about the different processes used for pasteurization. Find out the truth about pasteurized vs. raw milk.
Diarrheal Disease
Diarrheal diseases are a significant cause of sickness and death throughout the world. Read more about the different kinds of diarrhea and the kinds of microbes that cause these infections. Get tips on treatment and prevention of diarrhea.
HA-MRSA
Hospital-acquired or healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or HA-MRSA, comprises a large proportion of MRSA infections in the US. Find out more about symptoms of MRSA associated with hospital settings, treatment options, and tips for prevention
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a common kids' infection that is more prevalent in the winter and spring months. Find out about its symptoms, treatment options, prevention methods, and complications associated with the diseases.
Immunocompromised
Glossary definition of immunocompromised
Strep Throat FAQ
What is strep throat? What are its symptoms? How is it diagnosed and treated? Why do I need to take all of the antibiotics if I'm already feeling better? Find out answers to these questions and more.
Salt Preservation
Preserving food with salt is an ancient human practice that dates back before written records. Beef jerky, pickles, and smoked salmon are all examples of common foods that are preserved using salt. But are salty foods really safer to eat?
Anisakiasis
Scared of sushi? The Anisakis worm is a parasite that can cause nasty infections in humans who enjoy eating raw fish.
History of Hygiene
Did you know that people did not always wash their hands before eating or after going to the bathroom? How was the importance of clean water discovered? What kind of impact did invention of the flush toilet make on society? Find out how personal hygiene evolved from the mid-19th century to the daily practices we use today.
Swine Flu 2009
A hub site about the swine influenza H1N1 pandemic flu scare of 2009
CMV
Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is the largest of all viruses and infects most people some time in their life. Most infections are harmless, but transmission of the virus from pregnant women to their fetuses can cause permanent disabilities.
Typhoid Fever
Find out symptoms and treatment of Typhoid Fever. Learn how Salmonella Typhi causes Typhoid Fever and how to avoid getting it.
Antibiotics Overview
What are antibiotics? Where do they come from? How do they work?
Pathogen
Glossary definition of pathogen
Pandemic
Glossary definition of pandemic
Salmonella
Salmonella seems to be making its way into the news more and more each year, but is it something we should be worried about? Find out which kinds of diseases are caused by Salmonella and how to avoid getting it.
MMR Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine made up of three live, attenuated viruses, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Find out more about the MMR vaccine and who should or should not receive it. Learn about its safety and effectiveness against these three childhood viruses.
Thrush
Profile of Thrush caused by Candida fungi. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile bacterial disease is on the rise, causing more and more cases of hospital-borne infection. Find out the symptoms of Clostridium difficile colitis and how to treat and prevent infection. Read more about Toxins A and B of Clostridium difficile and how they contribute to the disease.
Stress-Induced Infections
Can stress really increase your likelihood of getting sick? How does stress impact your immune system? Which infections are you more prone to getting when stressed? What can you do about it?
Infection Prevention Tips
What's the best way to prevent you and your loved ones from getting sick from infectious microbes? Look beyond the obvious and learn some important tips for staying healthy.
Is it Strep Throat?
How do you know if you have strep throat or just a sore throat from a cold? Find out how to distinguish if it is strep throat and find out what your doctor will look for.
Swine Flu FAQs
FAQs about swine flu from Harvard Medical School
Jock Itch
Jock Itch, or ringworm of the groin, is a fungal infection that affects the groin and inner thighs. Find out more about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Listeriosis
What is Listeria, and how do I avoid getting it? Who should avoid eating soft cheeses and deli meats? Is my fetus at risk?
Kids Infections (0 to 12)
Get quick summaries of common infectious diseases in kids (ages 0 to 12 years) and how to diagnose, treat, and prevent them.
Oral Rehydration Therapy
Dehydration is a main cause of concern when it comes to diarrheal disease in small children. Here's a easy and cheap recipe for oral rehydration therapy.
Food Safety
Good hygienic cooking and food preparation practices in your kitchen are essential for limiting the possible spread of foodborne infectious diseases. Get tips on prevention of food-borne disease and the reasons behind them.
Swine Flu
Swine Influenza has been in recent news. Find out more about what it is, its symptoms, methods of treatment, and how to prevent swineflu.
E. coli O157:H7
E. coli O157:H7 is a common cause of foodborne outbreaks. It has been associated with hamburger, apple juice, and unpasteurized dairy products. It causes a disease called hemorrhagic colitis, characterized by bloody diarrhea. Find out more about symptoms, treatment, and prevention of E. coli O157:H7 infections.
Mumps
Mumps is a viral disease characterized by “chipmunk cheeks”. It is preventable with the MMR vaccination. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Mumps
Outbreak Investigation
What exactly is an outbreak, and why is it important to investigate it? What do epidemiologists do when investigating an outbreak?
MRSA
Infections from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as the MRSA superbug, have been increasing over the past decade. Find out what the MRSA superbug is and why it's a problem. Learn about symptoms of different kinds of MRSA, treatment options, and tips for prevention.
Rising Superbugs
Superbugs are bacteria that are resistant to multiple kinds of antibiotics, making treatment a challenge. Find out which strains of bacteria are becoming superbugs and are becoming public health issues.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). Find out about symptoms, prevention, and treatment of cold sores and oral herpes infections
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a common childhood infection associated with outbreaks in child care settings. It is usually caused by Coxsackie virus or Enterovirus 71. Learn about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease
Congenital Infections
Serious birth defects and even fetal death can occur following some infections in pregnant women. Find out which infectious diseases can lead to long-term defects and whether or not you should be tested for them.
Bacteria
Glossary definition of bacteria
Salmonellosis
Salmonella is a major cause of food-borne outbreaks in the United States. Find out what it is, how it causes disease and how to prevent and treat it.
CA-MRSA
CA-MRSA, or community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, has been a growing concern among athletes, students, and military recruits. Find out some important facts about the MRSA superbug and how you can avoid CA-MRSA infections.
Active TB
Active Tuberculosis or TB is a deadly disease that is on the rise in the U.S. Find out what causes active TB, what its symptoms are, and what treatment options are available
Strep Throat Diagnosis
Strep throat is diagnosed by clinical symptoms, throat cultures, and rapid antigen detection tests. Find out how each of these diagnostic measures are conducted.
Superbug Prevention
The emergence of superbugs is a huge public health issue, but can potentially be solved with proper use of antibiotics. Find out how we can help fix the super bug problem
Daycares
Find out the truth about daycare-associated infections and what causes them. Did you know there are even some health-related benefits for children who attend daycare centers and preschools? Keep reading to find out more!
Protozoa
Glossary definition of protozoa
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, can cause a nasty congenital infection in fetuses. The infection is transmitted from cat or kitten feces to pregnant women to their unborn babies. Find out about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Toxoplasmosis.
Norovirus
Commonly associated with cruise ships, Norovirus, also known as Norwalk or Norwalk-like virus, is a major cause of diarrheal disease, commonly referred to as the stomach flu. Find out more about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of norovirus.
Foodborne Diseases
Many infectious diseases occur when consuming foods contaminated with viruses, bacteria, and other microbes. Find out how these microbes make you sick and what you can do to prevent disease.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in small children both in the United States and worldwide. Read more about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of rotavirus.
Invasive Candidiasis
Profile of invasive Candidiasis that causes a systemic fungal infection. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, or TB, also known as consumption, is a worldwide epidemic that is on the rise in the U.S. Find out about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.
Fungi
Glossary definition of fungi
Rubella
Rubella, or German measles, causes a congenital disease that can result in spontaneous abortion, prematurity, and severe birth defects. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of rubella.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot, also known as ringworm of the foot, is a fungal infection that causes itchy, scaly skin between the toes. Learn about its symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, and tips for preventing athlete's foot.
Sore Throats
Sore throats are usually caused by infectious microbes. Find out how sore throats occur and which microbes are commonly implicated in infections that cause sore throats
Ringworm
Find out more about ringworm fungal infections of the skin. Learn about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Infectious Diseases - Articles
An index of articles for the Infectious Diseases guide site.
Microbes and Cancer
Infectious diseases are responsible for up to 30% of all cancers worldwide. Find out how microbes cause cancer.
Superbug Overview
What are superbugs and where do they come from?
Microbiology
Glossary definition of microbiology
Antibiotic Myths
Antibiotics were deemed "miracle drugs" in the 1940s, but there are several misunderstandings about what they do and how they work. Find out 5 common misconceptions about antibiotics and the truths behind the myths.
Zoonotic Disease
Glossary Definition of zoonotic disease
Winter Virus
Is there any truth to the warning to "bundle up" during winter months notorious for colds and flu? Find out why you're more likely to catch some viruses in cold, dry climates than in hot, humid ones.
Definition of Virulence
Glossary definition of virulence
Botulism
Botulism, caused by ingestion of Clostridium botulinum or its toxin, can be deadly for its victims. Find out more about symptoms, treatment, and prevention of this disease.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is spread through tick bites. Learn about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Disease-Free Daycares
Daycare centers don't have to be germ centers. Find out why child care centers and preschools are common sources of infectious diseases. Learn some tips for keeping your child's daycare center free of nasty germs and infections
Lymphatic System
Glossary definition of Lymphatic System
Whooping Cough
Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Whooping Cough in small children, also known as Pertussis, caused by the bacteria Bordatella pertussis.
Gram Stain
Glossary definition of gram stain
Nosocomial Infection
Glossary definition of nosocomial infection
Shigellosis
Shigella is an infectious food-borne bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea, known as dysentery or Shigellosis. Find out symptoms of Shigella infections and how to treat and prevent disease.
Opportunistic Infection
Glossary definition of opportunistic infection
E. coli O157:H7 FAQs
What is E. coli? Are all strains of E. coli dangerous? What are its symptoms? Where do you get it? How do you prevent disease?
Yeast Infections
Profile of yeast infections caused by candida. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Ear Infections
Ear infections, or otitis media, are a common childhood infection, afflicting most infants and small children. Find out what are ear infections, and their symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention.
Superbug
Glossary definition of Superbug
Bird Flu Pandemic
Bird flu, or avian influenza, has been in recent news, with many poultry farms being wiped out by this deadly virus of birds. Government authorities are concerned about the risk for an influenza pandemic, or worldwide spread of the virus.
Rotateq
The Rotateq vaccine is a promising new vaccine for rotavirus infection that leads to severe diarrhea in small children. Find out how well it works and how safe it is.
Travel Tips
Getting sick while traveling is a huge inconvenience, especially since you lack the comforts of home. Get tips on how to stay healthy when traveling
Bird Flu
Bird Flu or Avian Influenza has been in recent news. Find out more about what it is, its symptoms, methods of treatment, and how to prevent bird flu.
Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacter jejuni causes a food-borne diarrheal disease after eating contaminated milk or poultry. Find out symptoms of Campylobacter infections and how to limit the risk for disease.
Measles
Measles, also known as Rubeola, is a leading cause of death of young children worldwide, despite the availability of an inexpensive and effective MMR vaccine. Find out about symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention of measles.
Congenital Defect
Glossary definition of Congenital Defect
Microbial Cultures
Infectious diseases often require diagnosis using a culture of a sample from the infected site. What is a culture, and how is it used to diagnose an infection?
Travel Infections
See below for quick summaries of some common travel-related infections and tips on how to diagnose, treat, and avoid them.
Bird Flu FAQs
What is Bird Flu? What are its symptoms? Am I at risk for getting it? Are there treatments available for bird flu? Get the facts on bird flu and why it's a problem.
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