Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that poses a significant global health threat, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions and is now a major public health concern due to its widespread prevalence and potential for severe complications. In this article we look at its causes, symptoms, how it is transmitted, risk factors, complications, and how it can be prevented.  What is dengue fever? Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus and is spread by the Aedes mosquito. This mosquito lives in areas with tropical and near-tropical climates such as Southeast Asia, Western Pacific regions, the Caribbean, Latin America, and some parts of the US (such as Texas and Hawaii), Africa, and the Middle East. It does not live in the UK or other Western countries although there is concern that global warming may mean the mosquito may travel to these countries in the future. However, you can become infected if you travel to a region where dengue fever is often found. There are four types of the virus (called DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4) that are all capable of causing the disease. The Aedes mosquitoes that pass it on to humans live in urban environments and breed in stagnant water. The transmission of the virus involves the female Aedes mosquito becoming infected after biting a person that is already infected with the virus. This infected mosquito then transmits the virus to healthy people by biting them. (Unlike some other mosquito-borne diseases, dengue is not spread directly from person to person.)

Croup is a common airways infection affecting babies and young children. It usually affects those between six months and three years old but can affect younger and older children too. It affects the upper airways – the throat and nose – to cause a distinctive barking cough and a harsh sound (stridor) when they breathe in. A low-grade fever and blocked or runny nose and a hoarse voice may also develop. Croup is commonly caused by a virus called the parainfluenza virus. Usually, croup can be managed at home and clears up within 24 to 48 hours. However, if children also develop difficulty breathing or look short of breath, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.

The year 2020 will be ingrained in the minds of many of us as the year that coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged and which continues to impact on our lives. As the world’s scientists and medics continue to learn more about this new virus and offer guidance to the public, it can be tough to cut through the fear-factor and disinformation and find the facts. The Healthwords team is here to help, and suggest ways to help keep you and your loved ones well.

Most of us have felt the effects of a common cold – adults catch one once or twice every year, and children up to six times a year. The symptoms of a cold are caused by a viral infection, with rhinovirus being the most likely culprit. Colds typically circulate in autumn and winter, especially among children at school or nursery. There is no cure as such, your immune system will fight the virus and overcome it within 1 to 2 weeks. Antibiotics have no benefit for the common cold as they are only effective against bacterial infections. Treatments aim to relieve symptoms, but they won’t speed up getting rid of a cold. Colds usually appear in autumn and winter, although common viruses have been thrown out of sync by the COVID-19 pandemic, where we weren’t mixing as usual, with lockdowns, limited social or work interaction and with mandatory mask-wearing. It’s thought that our immune system needs to keep meeting these common viruses to keep us protected, and during the pandemic, this immunity was lost to an extent. So as doctors, we’ve been seeing coughs and colds during the summer in the last couple of years, when this would have previously been very rare.

Chickenpox is a virus caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is common among children but anyone can catch it at any age, but you can only catch it once. When adults get it, the symptoms are usually worse. Chickenpox spreads in the same way as those responsible for colds, flu and other infectious diseases. The virus is contained within droplets of mucus and saliva which are released into the air via coughing or sneezing. These droplets also fall onto objects and surfaces which, when touched, enable the virus to be easily transferred to another person. You only need to be in the same space with an infected person for a short period of time for this virus to spread to you. It's a very contagious infection - about 90% of people who have not previously had chickenpox will become infected when they come into contact with the virus. There is an incubation period of 7 to 21 days before the symptoms of chickenpox make themselves known. Chickenpox can be caught off someone with shingles but not vice versa.

Candida is a very common yeast causing a thrush infection. This gives rise to itching and soreness on skin around the genitals, and sometimes pain when passing urine. Warm damp conditions allow the yeast to grow, leading to a distinct bright red rash, often with small red bumps or pus-filled bumps around the edge. Soreness rather than itchiness distinguishes it from other causes of rash. This is more common in women than men, and affects the labia (the outer and inner lips to the vagina), but can spread to the groin, and can cause itching and irritation to the inside of the vagina. You may also experience vaginal discharge, which is typically thick, white, and doesn't have any particular smell. Most people know it as thrush, but it's medically termed candidiasis, or candidal vulvovaginitis if it affects the vagina. In men, this can affect the penis, causing candidal balanitis, and may cause some pain on passing urine.

Candidal balanitis is a common condition in men that causes the head of the penis to become inflamed. It is caused by candida, a very common yeast that can be found on our bodies. Typically it doesn’t cause any problems because it’s a very small amount however given the right setting, the yeast can multiply rapidly leading to an infection known as candidiasis (thrush). In men, it can affect the penis and foreskin, causing candidal balanitis. About 1 in 25 men will develop candidal balanitis at some point in their life.

Blistex cold sore cream contains docosanol which is an antiviral agent. Treatment must start in the early stages of a cold sore before the blisters appear. As soon as you get any of the symptoms, apply a thin film carefully over the entire cold sore 5 times a day. Continue using until the cold sore is healed, usually 4-6 days. The cause of cold sores is a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The infection may break out when the immune system is weakened, during stress or during a menstrual period. The virus causes blisters or sores, mainly on the lips.

Black fungus is a rare but very serious fungal infection that affects the nose, sinuses, lungs, eyes and sometimes the brain. It is found in the soil and is associated with decaying organic matter such as manure, vegetables and fruit. It gets its name from the black lesions it causes on the mouth and nose, and is officially named mucormycosis, or previously zygomycosis. It's come to prominence recently owing to an association with COVID-19 infection, especially in patients who contracted the virus in India. Small outbreaks of black fungus can also occur in certain groups of people such as thouse who have had an organ transplant. It's come to prominence recently owing to an association with COVID-19 infection, especially in patients who have contracted the virus in India.

Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection that occurs in warm, moist areas such as the feet and between the toes. It’s very common, affecting up to a quarter of people at some time in their life. Known medically as tinea pedis, it produces symptoms of a rash that is usually red, sore and itchy, with clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern, giving it its other name of ringworm. It can be passed on from person to person, often from walking barefoot in gym showers or around swimming pools for example. The typical presentation of athlete’s foot is that the skin between the little toes is often affected first, with a very itchy rash that can split or crack the skin there. Larger splits can then occur between other toes which can be painful and the rash can progressively spread along the toes if it isn’t treated. Sometimes it can spread to the soles of the feet and even the sides of them in severe cases.

A cold sore is a small blister on the face that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The blister pops and then gets a crust over it. Some people experience tingling or burning before the blister appears and it can be painful. They are very common, with around 1 in 5 people suffering from repeated cold sores. They usually heal by themselves between seven and 10 days. Most people are infected with the virus when they are young, but they may not get a cold sore until many years later. Once infected, the virus stays within you and can be reactivated and cause other cold sores at future points. This is usually around times of stress, tiredness, menstruation, illness or some people find the sun can cause outbreaks. Genital herpes and cold sores are caused by the same virus, although there are two different strains (HSV1 and HSV2). It's not really important which one is causing trouble, as treatment is based on symptoms. If you have symptoms in your genital area, see your doctor or a sexual health doctor to discuss this.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often associated with women, but they can also significantly impact men, especially as they age. UTIs occur when bacteria infect any part of the urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. Understanding UTIs in men is crucial because their symptoms and underlying causes can differ from those in women. Men’s unique anatomical structures and potential complications, such as prostate issues, make the presentation and management of UTIs distinct. This article will explore the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of UTIs in men. We'll delve into why men are affected differently, the specific symptoms they may experience, and the diagnostic tests typically used to identify these infections. Additionally, we'll discuss effective treatment options and strategies for preventing UTIs to help men manage and reduce their risk of these infections.