Coxsackievirus infection is an illness caused by a highly contagious group of enteroviruses, which belong to the Picornaviridae family. Enteroviruses are common worldwide and cause many different types of infections. In the United States alone, they are estimated to cause 10–15 million illnesses each year. The Coxsackievirus A and B groups are the most common, … Read more
Myocarditis is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed. This inflammation can cause a wide range of symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, fever, and rapid or irregular heartbeats (called arrhythmias). Some people also develop swelling in the legs or feet (edema) or experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches or … Read more
Encephalitis is a serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed (swollen and irritated). It is most often caused by viral infections, but it can also result from autoimmune reactions, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own brain cells. In rare cases, encephalitis can occur due to tumors or as a side effect … Read more
Bronchitis is a condition in which the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs (called the bronchial tubes) become inflamed and swollen, making it harder to breathe. It can be short-term, called acute bronchitis, or long-term, known as chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses such as the common cold or … 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
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
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that belongs to the herpes family. It can infect people of any age and usually does not cause symptoms in healthy individuals. However, it can lead to serious illness in people with weakened immune systems such as those who have received organ transplants or have HIV/AIDS and in babies … Read more