Mumps is a contagious illness caused by a virus that mainly affects the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands located near the jaw. In more serious cases, it can also affect other parts of the body. The virus spreads through tiny droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and can … Read more
Rubella, or German measles, is a contagious illness caused by the rubella virus, part of the Matonaviridae family. It most often affects children and young adults, but anyone who is not vaccinated can catch it. Symptoms are usually mild and may include a fine pink or red rash that starts on the face and spreads … Read more
Hepatitis is a condition where the liver becomes inflamed, meaning it is swollen and irritated. It can be caused by viruses that specifically attack the liver (called hepatotropic viruses), harmful substances such as alcohol or certain medicines, or by the immune system mistakenly attacking the liver (autoimmune hepatitis). When the liver is damaged, it cannot … Read more
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It mainly affects children under five, though anyone can catch it. In most cases, people recover without lasting problems, but in a small number of cases, the virus attacks the brain and spinal cord, causing permanent paralysis—usually in the legs. In the most … Read more
Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is an illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, usually in childhood, the virus stays inactive in the body’s nerve cells. Many years later, it can become active again and cause shingles. The condition is most common in older … Read more
Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus family. It causes an itchy skin rash with red spots and small fluid-filled blisters that eventually dry out and form scabs. The rash usually starts on the face, chest, and back before spreading to … Read more
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a serious and often deadly illness caused by viruses in the Ebolavirus group, which are part of the Filoviridae family. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Fruit bats, particularly those in the Pteropodidae family, are believed to be the natural hosts of the virus. … Read more
Lassa fever is a serious illness caused by the Lassa virus. People usually get infected through contact with the urine, feces, saliva, or nesting materials of infected multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis), which often live in or around homes in West Africa. These rats are the natural carriers of the virus. The disease is common in … Read more
Herpes simplex (HSV) is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, of which there are two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is primarily associated with oral herpes, which commonly causes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. HSV-2 is typically linked to genital herpes, which affects the genital and anal regions. However, … Read more
Viral infections are common in human populations and occur when viruses invade the body and replicate within host cells, causing a range of symptoms.1 2 These symptoms can vary from mild, such as a runny nose or sore throat, to severe outcomes including respiratory distress or death.3 4 5 A variety of viruses can cause … Read more