Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two common places the herpes virus can be found, near the mouth (oral herpes), which is also commonly known as a cold sore, and around the genitals (genital herpes). A herpes infection typically starts with a change in sensation - pain or tingling in a particular area - followed by small blisters that burst and leave small painful ulcers. If they are near the vagina, they can cause nasty pain when going to the bathroom. There are two forms of the herpes simplex virus, types 1 and 2. Type 1 is more commonly associated with oral herpes, and type 2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes. Although due to the fact the condition spreads via contact, and aided by oral sex, it is not uncommon to find either type in any location. There is no way to distinguish from symptoms. They present in the same way and require a test to see which type is causing trouble (although the type doesn't change anything clinically - treatment is given depending on where it is infected). Oral herpes is commonly acquired in childhood and passed on via skin-to-skin contact, or via contact with fluid in the blisters from the area of infection. Genital herpes is also spread through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex.

Head lice, also known as nits, are tiny insects that live on human hair and feed on the scalp. They are very common in young school children and their families and there is no link between head lice and unwashed/dirty hair. The eggs laid by the head lice are what’s known as nits, they stick to the hair and hatch after 7 - 10 days. Head lice produce symptoms of an itchy scalp and sometimes a feeling of something moving in your hair. The only way to diagnose them is to find a live head louse (it will look black and the size of a sesame seed) by combing the hair with a head lice detection comb which you can get from here at Healthwords or any regular pharmacy. They like to live close to the scalp and cannot survive for very long away from hair.

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.

Glandular fever is a throat infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is also known as infectious mononucleosis. It usually affects teenagers and young adults but can affect people of any age. It gets better without treatment, usually after two or three weeks, although some people might feel extremely tired for many months. It presents like any other viral infection with fever, cough, sore throat, and feeling generally unwell. You may notice your tonsils enlarge, and the glands you can feel on the outside of your neck get bulky and sore. Antibiotics will not help treat this condition, as they do not affect viruses.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that also causes cold sores around the mouth. Herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal sex, anal sex, and, occasionally, oral sex. It causes painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas, usually preceded by a tingling sensation. It is most sore the first time you have it. As with many viruses, they can't be eradicated from your system, but symptoms and outbreaks are treatable. See your doctor as soon as possible for confirmation and treatment.

Tinea corporis is the medical name for a fungal infection found on the non-hairy parts of the body. Ringworm is another description many people use because of the distinctive appearance of the ring-shaped rash – it's a bit misleading as no worms are involved. Typically, a fungal infection appears as a blotch, with a raised red line around the edge and a red, pink, or light brown center. There might be a slight dullness or scale over the rash, there may be one or two marks, or they can grow in number or size and merge. Occasionally little white or yellow pustules can appear. Mild itch is the most common complaint. Tinea corporis can affect any age and is more common in men than women.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.