Meningitis causes a characteristic rash on the skin. Learning to spot the signs and distinguish a meningitis rash from similar rashes can help a person receive treatment quickly. Meningitis is an infectious disease caused by certain viruses, bacteria, or fungi. It causes swelling of the meninges, which are the coverings on the brain and spinal […]
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
What can cause painful respiration?
Painful respiration is discomfort that occurs when a person breathes in or out. Infections, musculoskeletal injuries, and heart problems can cause this pain. The lungs do not have pain receptors, so when a person experiences painful respiration, it is not the lungs themselves that hurt. However, conditions that affect the lungs, organs, joints, or muscles […]
What causes recurrent cold sores?
Cold sores can occur when a person contracts the herpes simplex virus, which causes small, fluid-filled blisters around the lips and in the mouth. Many people get cold sores repeatedly throughout their lifetime, as the virus lies dormant in the body between outbreaks. The blisters usually break and form a sore that crusts over. They […]
Lysine for cold sores: Does it work?
Cold sores are tiny blisters that appear either in the mouth or on the lips. Some people use lysine, which is an essential amino acid, to help treat or prevent cold sores, but does it work? A virus causes cold sores, so a doctor will typically prescribe antiviral medications to help treat an outbreak. They […]
How preventable is sepsis-related death?
How prevalent and preventable is death from sepsis? A new study, recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open, investigates. New research reviews the care that people receive when hospitalized for sepsis. Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition that develops from the body’s overactive response to an infection. According to the National Institute of General […]
New drug may stop sepsis from reaching major organs
Researchers discover a drug that has the potential to stop sepsis before the condition reaches major organs and becomes fatal. A new preclinical trial of a sepsis drug brings hopeful results. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an existing infection — such as one that develops in a cut, a respiratory infection, or […]
What to know about viral fever
A viral fever is a higher-than-average body temperature that a virus causes. Often, a person will experience symptoms that may include a runny nose, coughing, nausea, fatigue, and body aches. While not every person experiences a fever when they have a virus, a fever can be a sign that the body is trying to fight […]
What to know about acute renal failure
Acute renal failure is when a person’s kidneys are not working as well as they once did. This usually happens very suddenly over several hours or up to 2 days. Many people do not experience symptoms until their condition has advanced. As a result of acute renal failure (ARF), the kidneys do not filter and […]
What causes urethra pain in men and women?
The urethra forms part of the lower urinary system. It is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Sometimes, the urethra can become inflamed and painful. In this article, we outline the possible causes of urethra pain and provide information on treatment options. Causes of urethra pain can include: Urinary […]
‘Antibacterial’ chemical in toothpaste could strengthen bacteria
New research finds that triclosan, a popular antibacterial chemical, could have the opposite effect and make bacteria more rather than less resilient to antibiotic treatment. Your toothpaste may contain a chemical that could render antibiotic treatment less effective. Triclosan is an antibacterial compound present in everyday household and personal-care products, such as toothpaste, soap, dishwashing […]