Editorial Team Folliculitis is a condition where the hair follicles become inflamed or infected, leading to small red or white-tipped bumps that look like pimples and may contain pus. It develops when a hair follicle is irritated, damaged, or blocked, which allows germs, most often the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and sometimes fungi to grow and cause inflammation. … Read more
A carbuncle is a painful skin infection made up of a group of connected boils. It happens when bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus, enter and infect several hair follicles at once. The affected area appears red, swollen, and tender, and often has more than one opening where pus drains. In more severe cases, a person may … Read more
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside the body, usually because of a bacterial infection. It can appear in the skin, inside organs, or in other tissues. Skin abscesses are easy to see and often cause pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. Abscesses that develop deeper inside the body may be harder to … Read more
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a serious lung infection caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and mainly occurs in countries in or connected to the Arabian Peninsula (such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman). The disease is considered dangerous because it … Read more
Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. It is most often caused by a bacterial infection, usually by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines. Cystitis is considered a form of urinary tract infection (UTI), which affects parts of the body that produce and carry urine. … Read more
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) is a viral disease caused by the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The virus mainly infects rodents, especially the common house mouse (Mus musculus), and can spread to humans through contact with infected rodents or their waste. The illness can range from mild, flu-like symptoms to more serious brain and nervous system problems, … Read more
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease that affects the brain and nervous system. It spreads to humans mainly through the bite of an infected tick. The illness usually develops in two stages. The first stage causes mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, tiredness, headache, and muscle pain. The second stage can be more serious, … Read more
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection that causes swelling of the brain. It spreads to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, mainly Culex mosquitoes. The virus, known as the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), is commonly found in a cycle between mosquitoes, pigs, and wild waterbirds. These animals act as natural hosts for the … Read more
Powassan virus is a rare but serious illness spread to humans through the bite of infected ticks, especially the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Many people who get the virus do not develop any symptoms. However, some may become sick, showing mild symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness. In severe cases, the virus can … Read more
Amoebiasis is an infection of the intestines caused by a microscopic parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. The infection spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with tiny parasite cysts, usually due to poor sanitation or contact with infected feces. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions where access to clean water and proper … Read more