Viruses and Health

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal infection. Antibiotics may help treat the condition and reduce symptoms. Some antibiotics can cause side effects, and there are some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings on certain BV drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that BV is the most common vaginal condition in those aged 15–44 years. This article discusses the different medications available for BV, the antibiotics that doctors may prescribe, and frequently asked questions that people may have for a doctor treating BV. BV occurs when there is an imbalance of the vaginal flora, which are the types of bacteria that naturally live inside the vagina. BV can occur in anyone with a vagina, but according to research from 2020 , a person may be at an increased risk of developing BV if they: have multiple sexual partners are sexually active at a young age are douching regularly Research also mentions that people with BV may have a higher chance of contracting a s...

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that attack the enamel, or protective outer layer of the tooth. If left untreated, tooth decay could lead to gum disease, cavities, and possibly tooth loss.  Unfortunately, tooth decay is very prevalent in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 4 adults have untreated tooth decay. Knowing the signs and symptoms of tooth decay can lead to treatment to restore healthy teeth and gums. It's also crucial to learn how to maintain good oral hygiene to ward off tooth decay.  This article will discuss the causes and risk factors of tooth decay, signs and symptoms, stages, and how tooth decay is treated. Image by JHLee Tooth Decay Stages Tooth decay doesn't happen immediately. Instead, it occurs over time in a series of stages due to poor oral hygiene. Stage 1: White Spots of Demineralization in ...

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The Herpes Simplex Virus is a common STI, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. It has two variants: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is typically transmitted orally via sores or saliva. Some common examples include sharing drinking glasses or kissing. HSV-1 most commonly results in oral cold sores. HSV-2 is sexually transmitted and causes genital herpes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 12% of people 14-49 years old have HSV-2 infection. But an increasing number of genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-1. That means oral, anal, or vaginal contact with HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes This article will cover how to diagnose, treat, and prevent genital herpes. It'll also explain how to safely and confidently move forward if you test positive. Halfpoint images / Getty Images Symptoms of...

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral illness most common in infants and young children. However, adults can also develop the illness if they have exposure to the virus. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) can produce the same symptoms in adults as in children, but adults are more likely than children to be asymptomatic. This article discusses the symptoms and treatment of HFMD in adults. Share on Pinterest This image shows how hand, foot, and mouth disease presents on the hands. Karl_BlaoStock/Shutterstock According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , HFMD is generally not serious in adults or children. The CDC note that most people, regardless of their age, recover from HFMD in 7–10 days without medical treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology Association state that most adults do not experience symptoms if they contract HFMD. Those who do will generally have benign symptoms. Complications that require medical intervention occur only very ra...

The Infectious Diseases Society of America strongly opposes the state of Florida's decision to put politics over the health and safety of children. The Florida Surgeon General's decision to recommend against COVID-19 vaccination for healthy children flies in the face of the best medical guidance and only serves to further sow distrust in vaccines that have proven to be the safest, most effective defense against severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalization and death.  The decision to recommend against the COVID-19 vaccine for children is disturbing, especially given the Food and Drug Administration's authorization of the vaccine for children as young as five based on data showing it is highly effective preventing hospitalization and death in that age group.  Pediatric vaccines are one of the great public health achievements of our time. They keep children from getting sick and dying from not only COVID-19, but also diseases such as measles, tetanus,...

LMU scientists have investigated how most people's immune defenses are able to curb the coronavirus so effectively that pneumonia does not occur. The immune defenses of most people are able to curtail the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the body so effectively that they do not get pneumonia. But researchers have been largely at a loss to explain how exactly the invader is contained in the upper respiratory tract. Scientists at LMU's University of Munich Hospital led by Dr. med. Kami Pekayvaz, Alexander Leunig, Associate Professor Dr. med. Konstantin Stark, and Dr. med. Leo Nicolai, working in cooperation with other research institutions, have discovered that patients with mild disease courses had a specific, effective antiviral upregulation of so-called interferon-stimulated genes. The team's results have been published in the journal Nature Communications . According to current research, 90 percent of infected persons are able to successfully ward off SARS-CoV-2 ...

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that attack the enamel, or protective outer layer of the tooth. If left untreated, tooth decay could lead to gum disease, cavities, and possibly tooth loss.  Unfortunately, tooth decay is very prevalent in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 4 adults have untreated tooth decay. Knowing the signs and symptoms of tooth decay can lead to treatment to restore healthy teeth and gums. It's also crucial to learn how to maintain good oral hygiene to ward off tooth decay.  This article will discuss the causes and risk factors of tooth decay, signs and symptoms, stages, and how tooth decay is treated. Image by JHLee Tooth Decay Stages Tooth decay doesn't happen immediately. Instead, it occurs over time in a series of stages due to poor oral hygiene. Stage 1: White Spots of Demineralization in ...