Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, particularly in women. Nearly half will experience one in their lifetime. Symptoms like burning during urination, abdominal pain, and fever can significantly impact daily life. Due to their frequency and risk of recurrence, UTIs are a notable health concern for women of all ages. Understanding how UTIs develop, recognizing the symptoms, and knowing the treatment options are key to effective prevention and management. Women are more susceptible due to anatomical and hormonal factors. If untreated, UTIs can lead to complications like recurrent infections or kidney damage, making early diagnosis and proper care essential. This article covers what UTIs are, why women are at higher risk, types of UTIs, symptoms, causes, and treatment, and prevention strategies. We’ll also outline when to seek medical attention to avoid complications and ensure proper treatment.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often thought of as a problem for women, but men can get them too—especially as they get older. A UTI happens when bacteria get into any part of the urinary system, like the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. UTIs in men can be different from those in women because of the way men’s bodies are built and because men can have other problems, like prostate issues, that make UTIs more complicated. 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.

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 many people suffering from repeated cold sores. They usually heal by themselves between 7 and 10 days. Most people are infected with the virus when they are young but 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.

Impetigo is a mild bacterial infection causing a red area of skin with tiny blisters (vesicles). These may burst to form open sores and a honey-yellow or brown crust. It often arises from damaged skin - from eczema, from an insect bite, or around the nose and mouth after a cold. This is a very common infection that can clear up by itself, but as it usually affects children and is very contagious, most people choose to have it treated with antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pyogenes, two bacteria commonly found in the nose and not causing any harm to healthy skin, are the most likely suspects. Impetigo often starts with minor skin damage, such as an insect bite or eczema, and can rapidly develop into a more extensive infection. This condition is most commonly seen around the nose, mouth, and exposed body areas. Though it resolves independently, treatment is typically recommended to prevent the spread and accelerate healing. This article provides a detailed overview of impetigo, including its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention methods. What is Impetigo? Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that presents as red sores on the skin. These sores can become blisters and eventually form a honey-coloured or brown crust. It is a highly contagious condition, spreading easily through direct contact or touching contaminated objects.

Gum disease, medically known as gingivitis, is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide. It's essential to understand the fundamentals of gingivitis to maintain optimal oral health and prevent potential complications. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, primarily caused by poor oral hygiene habits. When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth and along the gumline, it can lead to inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is the hallmark of gingivitis and is often accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. While gingivitis is common, it's crucial to recognize its significance. If left untreated, it can progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, which can result in irreversible damage to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Moreover, research has shown potential links between gum disease and other systemic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral health. Understanding the importance of gum health is key to preventing and managing gingivitis. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can help remove plaque and prevent its accumulation along the gumline. Additionally, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential for monitoring oral health and addressing any signs of gum disease early on. In this article, we will delve deeper into the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gingivitis. By arming yourself with knowledge about gum disease, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your oral health and overall well-being.

A nail with a fungal infection turns yellow and thickened at the tip, becoming soft and crumbly. Over weeks it infects the rest of the healthy pink parts of the nail and starts to lift off, and eventually, over the course of a few months, the whole infected nail may come off. People are usually bothered by the appearance, and only notice when summer announces itself and the flip flops come out, after a winter of feet in warm sweaty socks and shoes. It can occasionally cause swelling and pain. Tinea unguium, the medical term for fungal nail infection, is more common in the toenails than fingernails. It can affect one nail or several, usually on the same hand or foot, and can eventually spread to the other foot. Fungal nail infections will not get better without treatment, and can take a long time to treat. Here, Healthwords pharmacists and doctors walk you through the options available.

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 won’t speed up recovery from 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 mandatory mask-wearing. It’s thought that our immune system needs to keep meeting these common viruses to protect us, and during the pandemic, this immunity was lost to an extent. So doctors have been seeing coughs and colds during the summer in the last couple of years when this would have previously been very rare.

Chronic bronchitis is where you have long-term symptoms of bronchitis and is defined as a daily productive cough that lasts for three months of the year, for at least two years in a row. Bronchitis is an infection or inflammation of the bronchi, which are the largest airways of the lungs. These airways have a protective mechanism built into them where they produce mucus, which traps anything that is not welcome in the airways and could be harmful to the lungs. It can then be coughed up and removed from the body. When someone has bronchitis, something has irritated the airways, causing increased production of mucus. This leads to the body trying to get rid of the mucus and causes a productive cough. It may start as an on-and-off acute bronchitis and lead to chronic bronchitis.

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

Croup is a common airway 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.

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.

Flu is common, and just over 1 in every 10 people suffer from it each year, typically in autumn and winter. Influenza is the name of the virus that causes flu and its symptoms. There are three main types of influenza virus, called A, B and C, although it is usually the type A virus that causes the worst epidemics. Type C influenza is mild to the extent that it is often indistinguishable from a common cold. Type A influenza is usually more debilitating than type B. Symptoms begin after an incubation period of one to four days and include a high temperature up to 103F, headache, loss of appetite, muscular aches and pains, weakness and marked exhaustion or fatigue. Symptoms often continue for about a week unless there are complications, in which case new symptoms may commence in the second week. Symptoms tend to come on quite fast, as opposed to the gradual onset the common cold brings – different viruses are responsible for colds. For most people, the flu will lead to some days spent in bed feeling rotten. For the elderly, young children, or people with other serious medical problems it can be serious, and a number of people die from the flu each year. The flu virus typically hits in winter, while the flu vaccine is offered in the autumn run-up to flu season. The virus can change in nature from year to year, but flu shots keep up with this ever-changing virus, and that’s why we need a booster every year. The symptoms of the flu are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 so it is important if you have a continuous cough, fever or a loss of taste or smell, to follow the current government guidelines in your area.