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Airborne viruses are capable of becoming suspended in the air, typically when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. They can then be inhaled by unsuspecting individuals resulting in new infections. Airborne viruses can affect both animals and humans. A virus that is airborne tends to spread easily and may be harder to control than pathogens—microscopic causes of disease—that are spread other ways. Types of Airborne Viruses The type and number of airborne viruses are astronomical....

Alport syndrome is an inherited disease that’s characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eyesight problems. Alport syndrome causes kidney disease by damaging glomeruli—the tiny filters in your kidney tasked with filtering your blood. With Alport syndrome, the collagen type IV that’s found in your glomeruli, inner ear, and eyes is affected, making them unable to do their function properly. In turn, your kidneys become weak, and less and less waste is filtered from your blood....

A carcinoma is a type of cancer that forms solid tumors. Carcinomas can appear in the skin, breasts, internal organs, and glands. They form in epithelial cells, which line the outer surface of the skin and the covering and lining of organs and internal passageways, such as the gastrointestinal tract. Carcinoma accounts for 80% to 90% of all cancer diagnoses. Carcinoma cells multiply rapidly and form a solid mass (a tumor)....

Ever since the pandemic took hold earlier this year, we’ve been hit with one piece of bad public health news after the other. But as the heat of summer cools into fall and flu season lurks around the corner, scientists have noted a possible (possible) glimmer of hope from the other half of the globe: Countries in the Southern Hemisphere have just had its mildest flu season on record, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)....

Shingles, or herpes zoster (HZ), is a condition caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). People with shingles typically develop a red rash and blisters. Shingles is sometimes mixed up with other skin conditions, such as eczema. Like shingles, eczema causes symptoms like red rashes and skin inflammation. However, shingles is a viral illness. Eczema is a chronic condition with no single known cause. Learn more about shingles and eczema, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options....

Are you concerned your child sweats too much? Unlike older children and teens, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweat) in younger children isn’t common. It can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Let’s take a look at what you should know about excessive sweating in children. Types of Excessive Sweating There are two different types of excessive sweating. These include: Generalized excessive sweating happens all over the body. It can result in your clothes becoming soaked....

The signs and symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild and unconcerning (though uncomfortable) to significant and serious. While reactions are different for everyone, they classically begin within two hours of eating a trigger food. Signs and symptoms of a food allergy tend to affect the skin, stomach, airways, eyes, or the entire body; common ones include rsh, swelling, upset stomach, breathing difficulty, and itchy eyes. In some cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis can occur....

Diagnosing metastatic breast cancer can involve different tests and lab procedures, depending on where the cancer metastasizes (spreads). For example, the location of the cancer may spread to the lungs, bone, brain, or liver. The tests used to diagnose metastatic breast cancer may differ for each area or organ that is involved. Metastasis involves the spread of cancer to distant areas or organs of the body. When it spreads to two or more distant areas, this is known as metastatic cancer or stage 4 disease....

Everyone has dead skin cells on their face. In fact, the top 18 to 23 layers of your skin are made of dead cells. Skin cells are removed and replenished with new cells every month. Your body gets rid of 30,000 to 40,000 old skin cells every day. New skin cells form at the bottom of the epidermis, the top layer of your skin. Exfoliation is an effective way to make sure you get rid of dead skin cells, but each skin type needs different kinds of exfoliation to avoid irritation or clogging pores further....

Cannabidiol (CBD) as a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as other health conditions, is based on a compound derived from the cannabis plant. Erectile dysfunction is when you cannot hold an erection long enough to have a satisfying sexual experience. It’s very common and becomes more common with age. If you’re between the ages of 40 and 70, there’s a 52% chance you’ll experience ED at some point....

When I received my initial dose of the COVID vaccine in late March 2021, I was the first in my family to do so. I had spent my entire life getting annual flu shots and vaccines required for school. So at the age of 23, it was a no-brainer for me to add another to that list. After a year in quarantine, I was eager to regain a sense of normalcy....

A knee brace is a support that can be worn to reduce knee pain, prevent injuries, and help you recover after an injury. Different types of knee braces are made a variety of materials and offer a range of knee joint support levels. The right knee brace for your knee pain will depend on your condition. Your healthcare provider will recommend the type of brace that is right for you, and when you should wear a knee brace....

The scientists developing COVID-19 vaccines are working toward a common goal: to get your body to produce antibodies that will protect against the virus. But while we wait on the technology necessary to encourage natural antibody production, other researchers are exploring the use of manufactured antibodies to treat COVID-19. Key Takeaways Monoclonal antibodies can mimic naturally produced antibodies in the body.Newly-identified antibodies may attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus in different ways, widening the current approach to treatment....

Laser cataract surgery is when an eye surgeon removes a clouded lens with a laser, then replaces it with an artificial prescription lens that restores clear vision. This method results in better healing and fewer complications than traditional cataract surgery, which uses a scalpel. The procedure is safe and effective, though it’s not without any risks. However, laser cataract surgery is more costly than the traditional method and not covered by most health insurance plans....

Skin symptoms can be an unexpected sign of lung cancer. With most types of lung cancer, people don’t show signs until it has spread. But lung cancer can also cause other syndromes that can lead to additional problems seen on the skin. This article will discuss how lung cancer can affect the skin, symptoms to look for, and skin changes that may occur during treatment for lung cancer. How Lung Cancer May Affect the Skin Lung cancer that has spread to another organ or has caused a syndrome, such as the following, may lead to symptoms that appear on the skin....

Malaria is an infection caused by a parasite that almost always is transmitted by mosquitoes. It’s rare in the United States, where only about 1,700 cases are reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By contrast, the World Health Organization reports that there are more than 200 million cases of malaria around the globe annually, and more than 400,000 deaths caused by the infection....

Marinol (dronabinol) is a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana (cannabis). In addition to creating the “high” that many users seek, THC is known to reduce neuropathic pain, relieve nausea, and stimulate appetite. In states where marijuana is legal, people now have a choice as to whether Marinol or marijuana is the better drug to treat their medical condition. While there remains no clear consensus as to which is “better” or “worse,” there are pros and cons that may help direct your decision....

Moebius syndrome (also called Möbius syndrome) is a rare neurological condition that can affect several cranial nerves, particularly those that control the muscles of the face. In most cases, the sixth and seventh cranial nerves are missing from birth (congenitally absent). The absence of these nerves leads to the characteristic facial paralysis and other symptoms of Moebius syndrome. This article will go over what causes Moebius syndrome. You will also learn the symptoms of Moebius syndrome, how Moebius syndrome is diagnosed, and what treatments are available for Moebius syndrome....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can strike any part of your body, and that includes your feet. In fact, foot inflammation and pain is an early symptom for many people. Foot symptoms in RA can take many forms. You may have pain in the joints or constant aching. You may also have pain in your ligaments, which are the bands of tissue that connect your bones to each other. Symptoms are often worse after standing for a long time, walking, or running....

Pericoronitis (also called operculitis) is a condition involving inflammation and swelling of the soft tissue that surrounds a tooth that is partially erupted. Eruption is the process of tooth development in which a tooth becomes visible as it “erupts’’ through the gingiva (gum tissue). Pericoronitis may also affect a tooth that has not yet come in. The soft tissue that covers a tooth that is not fully erupted is called an “operculum....