Group A streptococcus (or group A strep) is a type of bacterium (germ) that commonly lives on our skin or in our nose and throat. Many of us carry this bacterium but never become ill. Strep A infections vary in severity from very mild - such as throat infections - to severe such as pneumonia, but fortunately most can be treated with antibiotics. How do I catch Strep A? Many people carry group A Strep without realizing it - it causes no problems and they remain well and don’t develop any illness. It can be passed from person to person by close contact with someone who has Strep A such as by kissing or from skin-to-skin contact. Strep A can also sometimes be spread through food if someone infected with group A strep prepares or serves food which is then shared. Who’s most at risk from Strep A? Although most people exposed to Strep A have either no symptoms or mild ones, you’re more likely to be at risk from it if you: have close contact with someone with Strep A are older than 65 are diabetic have heart disease or cancer have recently had chickenpox have HIV have a weakened immune system or take long-term steroids

Thrush is caused by a yeast called candida and can be responsible for infections in the mouth, on the skin, and around the genital area. Doctors call the infection candidiasis, but it’s known to most as thrush. Thrush infections are more common during pregnancy, when taking antibiotics, or those prone to infections due to other medical conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes or immunosuppression. It is common in the mouths of children and babies and can be common in people who wear dentures. Most women will suffer from a vaginal thrush infection at some point in their life. Thrush infections are easily treated with antifungal medications. Depending on where your infection is and how widespread, these come in the form of oral drops, vaginal products, creams, or tablets.

Threadworms (pinworms) are very common in children, but rare in adults. They are a parasite that passes from feces to hands to mouth and is incredibly contagious. This infection causes intense itching around the anus and sometimes the vagina, especially at night – the need to scratch may even disturb your child's sleep. You might notice tiny white worms around your child's anus when they are active at night, laying eggs, or mixed in their poop.

Tetanus occurs when bacteria from soil or animal manure enter an open wound. It is a rare but serious and life-threatening condition. There are not many cases of tetanus due to a very successful childhood vaccination program.

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, and will not respond to antibiotics. They need good self-care, pain relief, fluids, and time, to get better. Some sore throats are caused by bacteria, and these will tend to need a course of antibiotics to get better. ‘Strep throat’ is a colloquial term used to describe a bacterial throat infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is one of the causes of bacterial sore throat, and it usually produces more severe symptoms than a viral sore throat. You may have severe pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, an absence of other viral symptoms such as cough, and symptoms that last longer than a viral infection would be expected to last. If your doctor suspects a bacterial throat infection, they may take a swab to check the bacteria. Or if they are confident, may start a course of antibiotics immediately.

A sore throat is hard to ignore, as it affects us when we speak, eat, and drink – even simply swallowing can bring on pain. Sore throats are common, and most improve with time and without any intervention. It can be hard to know when to sit it out and when there's reason to worry. First, you can assess your own throat, and it's good to get to know it when you're well. If you look in the mirror and open wide, perhaps with the help of a flashlight, you'll see a high double arch at the back with a little boxing bag in the middle – this is the uvula, flanked on either side by the soft immune tissue of the tonsils. The black hole in the middle reaches the pharynx, the back of the nose and throat, and extends down to the larynx (voice box), then onwards to both the airways and lungs, and to the esophagus (food pipe) and stomach. The back of the throat should be a uniform light to medium pink color. If it's red, or with bloody spots, white or yellow spots, this is abnormal. If one or both tonsils look enlarged and red, with the hole in the middle looking squished or smaller, it's likely you're fighting off an infection as part of your immune response. This is called tonsillitis. You can't see further than your tonsils – the pharynx, larynx, and vocal cords are unseen in the very back of the throat, and only visible via a special camera on a wire, called an endoscope.

A sore throat is a pain, scratchiness, or irritation of the throat that often worsens when your child swallows. It may come out of the blue if they’re fighting a viral or bacterial infection, and they may also experience cold symptoms like a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a fever, coughing, and headache. You might be able to feel that the glands in their neck are enlarged, and they may be quite tender to the touch. If you look in the back of their throat, you might see one or both tonsils are enlarged and red, causing the gap between them to reduce, and you may notice some white spots on the tonsils.

Shingles and chickenpox are both viral infections caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is commonly experienced during childhood and is characterized by a widespread, itchy rash. At the same time, shingles reactivate the same virus that can occur later in life, leading to a painful rash and often severe discomfort. Although they stem from the same virus, their manifestations and implications differ significantly. Understanding the distinctions between shingles and chickenpox is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Misidentifying one for the other can lead to ineffective treatments and prolonged discomfort. Recognizing these differences ensures that individuals receive the correct treatment and take proper measures to prevent the spread or recurrence of these conditions. This article will cover the fundamental aspects of both chickenpox and shingles. It will detail each condition's causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies and discuss prevention measures. By distinguishing between the two, readers will understand how to address these infections and protect themselves and others from their effects.

Scarlet fever is the name given to a distinctive collection of symptoms caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacteria, often called Strep A. This bacteria is active every year and usually causes fever and a sore throat in children. Strep throat usually requires antibiotics. It mainly affects children aged 4 to 14 and appears in late winter/early spring. In late 2022, an outbreak caused great alarm as cases quickly rose, and with this, a small proportion of children became very unwell or died. The welcome news is that this is not a new strain and should respond to the usual antibiotics. Public health authorities have sought to reassure that most cases are mild and easily treated but warn to be alert to signs that any child may be becoming unwell. Let's talk you through what signs and symptoms to look for and when there is reason to worry.

Scabies is an infection from a mite that produces an itch like no other - you (and family members) will be furiously scratching, especially at night. The mite (fancy name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) burrows under your skin, causing very subtle, but characteristic gray "track marks" towards a more defined skin mark. The skin mark may be a tiny red bump (a papule) or may appear as a fluid-filled blister or a pus-filled bump (a pustule). The mite's favorite hide-outs include the webs between fingers, palms, wrists, forearms, chest and breasts, and genitals.

Robitussin is a well-known brand of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine that offers relief for various types of coughs. Robitussin stands out as a popular choice for individuals experiencing dry, non-productive coughs. This comprehensive guide aims to provide detailed information about Robitussin, including its active ingredients, mechanism of action, indications, dosage, potential side effects, and precautions. Active ingredients and formulation Robitussin typically contains dextromethorphan as its active ingredient. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works by affecting the cough reflex in the brain, thereby reducing the urge to cough. In addition to dextromethorphan, Robitussin may also contain other ingredients such as preservatives, flavorings, and sweeteners to enhance palatability and stability.

As we learn to live alongside COVID-19, it can be hard to tease apart the threat it poses to us, and it depends on so many factors – age, sex, ethnicity, and health conditions. Will it be a simple cold or will I end up in the hospital? Add the fact that you’re pregnant into the equation, and confusion reigns. In the simplest terms, the overall risk to those who are pregnant is low. However, when compared to people of your age and gender, the risk is raised. This is for both becoming unwell enough to need hospital treatment, and of needing intensive care support. This risk is much reduced if you are in good health, and significantly reduced if you are fully vaccinated. The doctors here at Healthwords follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US government in advising you that getting fully vaccinated offers the best protection for you and your baby. Real-world data suggests that pregnant women that are unvaccinated are significantly more likely to end up seriously unwell or needing hospital care than those who are vaccinated. Your baby may also risk being born prematurely if you contract COVID-19.