A yeast called candida 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. Yeast infections are more common in people who are pregnant, those taking antibiotics, or those who are 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. Yeast 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 formulations, creams, or tablets.

Warts and verrucas are caused by a harmless viral infection in the skin called the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV causes keratin, a hard protein in the top layer of the skin, to grow too much, giving the typical roughened texture of a wart. There are more than 60 different types of viruses known to cause warts; this includes genital warts. They are increasingly common through childhood and adolescence but then their frequency drops drastically again on reaching adulthood. Warts often look different depending on where they are on the body and how thick the skin is, and a wart on the sole of the foot is called a verruca. What do they look like? Warts on the hands are found most frequently around the nails and on the fingers and are often shaped like a cauliflower, whereas verrucas are seen most commonly on the ball of the foot as areas of flat, thicker skin with a harder edge around a softer center.

Verrucas are very common, especially in children, and are not harmful. They usually resolve independently without treatment, but certain products can speed up this process. Verrucas describe warts that appear on the feet, caused by the virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). They are hard, uneven skin growths, usually skin-colored or white, and generally flat as you've compressed them with walking. For this reason, they may feel sorer than warts on your fingers or elsewhere. You may see black specks in the verruca, usually tiny blood vessels. This is also the same virus that causes genital warts. They may develop weeks or months after coming into contact with the virus. Cuts or broken skin makes it easier for the virus to get in, and this is particularly important to know when sharing communal areas such as swimming pools or gym changing rooms where everyone is walking around barefoot. Verrucas really thrive in warm moist conditions. A lowered immune system puts you at higher risk. Children do not have a fully developed immune system which is why it is common in this age group. The majority of verrucas will heal on their own within a few months but may take up to 18 months. If you want to speed up this process, we recommend two options: salicylic acid-containing products that can be purchased from your local pharmacy or getting the wart frozen off (cryotherapy).

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.

Tonsillitis occurs when a viral or bacterial infection causes the tonsils – immune-fighting glands at the back of the mouth – to become inflamed. You get a sore throat causing pain on swallowing and possibly earache, and you may be able to see or feel that one side of the throat is more swollen from the outside. Your tonsils will likely look red, possibly with some white dots (pus) on them. You might have a high fever, headache and generally feel pretty unwell. Children and young adults are more likely to suffer tonsillitis. Most infections are viral and therefore don't respond to antibiotics – they get better on their own after about a week. Viral tonsillitis can often present with general symptoms of a cold, such as a runny or blocked nose and a cough. Some things make a sore throat or tonsillitis more likely to be bacterial, which may require antibiotics to help your body recover. A bacterial infection is generally more likely if you have the following symptoms: no symptoms of a cold such as a cough if you have a fever higher than 100°F swollen lymph nodes in your neck white spots on a very large tonsil or symptoms have developed quickly, within 24 hours When your doctor is deciding whether the cause is viral or bacterial, they will sometimes use evidence-based scores that help to determine the likelihood of bacterial infections. If the cause is likely viral, antibiotics won't help - the infection will get better on its own. The majority of tonsillitis cases will improve on their own; however, it is important to stay hydrated and rest to help your body fight the infection. You can take over-the-counter pain relief to help with any pain, and your pharmacist can advise you on this. Your pharmacist can also advise you on lozenges and throat sprays to help with a sore throat.

Parents are understandably anxious about the rise in Group A strep cases currently. Streptococcus A is a very common bacterial infection affecting those from 4 to 14 years old, and it usually causes a mild sore throat and fever. Although rare, some children contract an invasive form of Group A Streptococcus (iGAS), leading to severe illness requiring hospital treatment and possible threat to life. Advice from the public health bodies has emphasized presenting your child when they appear very unwell, but what does this mean? Let’s talk you through how to recognize the signs, when to seek help and when to worry.

A shingles rash is caused by a virus called herpes zoster and starts as tiny red bumps or blotches that become weeping blisters (known as vesicles). This often appears on the chest, back, stomach, neck, or face. People sometimes notice a tingling or burning in the days before the rash appears and may have a headache, mild fever, or feel otherwise unwell. It is distinctive in that it will only appear on one half of the body and usually only covers a small area. This virus was originally caught as chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus), usually in childhood. While your body recovers from this, the virus lays asleep, or dormant, in the nerves and is reactivated under stress or illness, usually in those over 60 years old. Following the pathway of nerves means the virus is only activated from the nerves leading off the spine to one side or the other - a so-called dermatomal distribution.

Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes diarrhea. It mostly affects children under 5 years, and it's usually mild enough to just be treated at home. This is different to toddler's diarrhea. Early symptoms include a temperature, vomiting, and then 3 to 7 days of watery diarrhea. They may also get abdominal pain and cramps. It takes about 2 days after being exposed to the virus for symptoms to start. Even after the other symptoms have resolved, loose stools can last for up to 10 days, although hopefully improving in that time. It's so common that most children in the US have had it by 5 years old. Older children and adults can also catch rotavirus, but in adults, it's usually a milder illness. They should still be cautious about not infecting others, though.

Rickets is a condition of abnormal bone development in children. In rickets, the process of calcification and hardening of bones is disordered. Rickets results in abnormal bone formation that can be associated with pain, growth disturbance, and deformity, such as bowed legs (where the knees turn outwards). There are many potential causes of rickets: a poor diet lacking in vitamin D and calcium is the most common cause, as these are both essential for normal bone formation. Rarer causes include an inability for the body to absorb or process vitamin D or other minerals. If these problems are present in an adult, the condition is called osteomalacia. Sources of vitamin D include sunlight and certain foods such as oily fish. Certain foods also have vitamin D added to help prevent rickets, including cereals. Foods that are high in calcium include dairy products and green leafy vegetables.

Oral herpes, also known as cold sores, are small blisters on the face that are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). These blisters pop and then get a crust over them. Some people experience tingling or burning before the blister appears, which can be painful. They are very common, with around 1 in 5 people suffering from repeated cold sores. They usually heal by themselves between a week and 10 days. Most people are infected with the virus when they are young. However, 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 isn’t really important which one is causing trouble, as treatment is based on where your symptoms are happening. If you have the symptoms below, see your sexual health doctor to discuss them.

Norovirus is also known as the vomiting bug. It is a viral gut infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It can be highly contagious and spread through contaminated food and water or through someone else who is infected. Abdominal pain and cramps are common symptoms. Some children get general flu-like symptoms alongside, such as: headache muscle aches mild fever and chills Symptoms can start 1 or 2 days after exposure to the virus and can last for up to 3 days, but they can sometimes last longer, especially in children.