Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but serious illness caused by the Marburg virus, which belongs to the same virus family as Ebola. The disease was first identified in 1967 during outbreaks in Germany and what is now Serbia, after laboratory workers were exposed to African green monkeys brought from Uganda. In nature, the … Read more
Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear, the space just behind the eardrum. It is especially common in children, although people of any age can be affected. Globally, it is one of the most frequent childhood illnesses and a major reason children visit doctors or receive antibiotics. Common symptoms include ear … Read more
West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes that can occasionally cause serious illness affecting the brain and nervous system. Most people who become infected do not show any symptoms, or they may develop only mild flu-like signs such as fever, headache, and tiredness. In rare cases, especially among older adults or people with … Read more
Yellow fever is a viral disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), which belongs to the Flavivirus family. It spreads to humans mainly through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, though other species such as Haemagogus and Sabethes can also transmit it in forested areas. The disease is most common in tropical and … Read more
Q fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. This bacterium is very tough and can survive in harsh conditions. Q fever is a zoonosis, which means it spreads naturally from animals to humans. People usually become infected by inhaling tiny contaminated particles in the air, especially around farm animals such as … Read more
COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. It was first detected in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and soon spread worldwide, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global pandemic in March 2020. The virus mainly spreads through tiny droplets and particles released when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, … Read more
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses. These viruses mainly affect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu occurs worldwide and can affect people of all ages. The severity ranges from mild cases that improve on their own to serious illness that may require hospital care or, in … Read more
The common cold is a short-term viral infection that mainly affects the nose and throat. Typical symptoms include sneezing, coughing, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and tiredness. Some people may also develop a mild fever or feel unwell in general. In most healthy individuals, the cold improves on its own within about a week. … Read more
Gastroenteritis is an illness that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Its main symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramps, and sometimes fever. It is often called the “stomach flu,” although it is not related to influenza. The most common causes are viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus, or bacteria such as Escherichia coli … Read more
Typhoid fever is a serious illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It spreads mainly through eating food or drinking water contaminated with the feces or urine of an infected person. The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation, limited clean water, and inadequate hygiene. Symptoms usually start with a lasting high fever, … Read more