A new blood test could save lives in the treatment of sepsis. It assesses five markers in the blood to predict who is at low, medium, and high risk of death. With this knowledge, doctors could start treating the serious condition much earlier and with more precision. Share on PinterestNew research details how a blood […]
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
What to know about urine tests for creatinine
Creatinine is a normal waste product that the body produces every day during muscle movements and when digesting meat. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from the blood, and it leaves the body in urine. High levels of creatinine in the urine can indicate diabetes, high muscle tone, or problems with the kidneys. In this article, we […]
Everything you need to know about smallpox vaccine scars
Smallpox is a viral infection that causes a fever and severe skin rash. The early 20th century saw several smallpox epidemics, and the infection was fatal for about 3 out of 10 affected people. The infection left many people who survived smallpox with permanent scarring, frequently on their faces. Smallpox is an infection of the […]
Vaginal pain: Causes and how to treat it
Vaginal pain can be a temporary symptom of infection or injury. Or, it can be a chronic symptom with no known cause. Persistent vaginal pain with no clear cause is called vulvodynia. It is a common gynecological condition, affecting up to 16% of women in the United States. Fear or embarrassment may keep a person […]
What happens if a dog bite gets infected?
If a dog bite pierces a person’s skin, bacteria from the animal’s mouth can get into the body, which can cause an infection. Washing the wound thoroughly can remove the bacteria from the body and help prevent infection. If the bacteria stay in the body, they can cause an infection, such as tetanus, rabies, or […]
Ringworm: How long is it contagious?
Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes ring-shaped lesions on the outer layers of the skin. These lesions are typically red and itchy, and they can appear on the scalp, outer extremities, or torso. Ringworm is highly contagious and can spread through contact with other areas of the body and other people. Ringworm remains contagious […]
What to know about breast yeast infection
A breast yeast infection is a type of inflammatory skin condition that develops in skin folds. A yeast infection, also called candidiasis, occurs when Candida yeasts grow uncontrollably. A yeast infection can develop in many different parts of the body, including the: mouth and throat esophagus vagina penis anus skin Candida yeasts are a type […]
What to know about anal yeast infection
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. A yeast infection develops when Candida fungi, which is a type of yeast, grow uncontrollably on the surface of the skin or in mucous membranes inside the body. People can develop yeast infections anywhere inside or […]
Preventing herpes infections: Study offers new insights
New research identifies a key factor that determines the progression of the herpes virus and shows that targeting it can slow viral progression. Share on PinterestNew research provides insights into what encourages the progression of the herpes virus. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015–2016, almost […]
Do stress-related disorders raise the risk of infections?
Having a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another stress-related condition may increase the risk of acquiring certain infections, according to a new study. People with a stress-related condition may be predisposed to infections. Despite what some 17th century philosophers taught us, our minds and bodies are not separate entities. In fact, modern scientific […]