Immune Health

Articles

Warts and verrucas
Condition

Warts and verrucas

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.

Black fungus
Condition

Black fungus

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 those who have had an organ transplant.

Influenza
Condition

Influenza

Influenza is the name of the virus that causes flu and its symptoms. It is common, and up to 2 in 10 people develop it yearly. Influenza commonly causes a fever, sore throat, cough, sore muscles, and feeling poorly. 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 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, which is why the flu vaccine is offered in the run-up to flu season every autumn. The virus can change a bit from year to year, making it hard for our immune systems to recognize it. We may get severe symptoms as the immune system sets to work to protect us. The flu shots are updated to keep up with this ever-changing virus, and that’s why we need them every year.

Impetigo
Condition

Impetigo

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.

Mumps
Condition

Mumps

The paromyxovirus virus causes the viral infection known as mumps which is very contagious, and considered to be a disease of childhood, although the number of cases has been significantly reduced since a vaccine became available. This is given as the MMR vaccine in the US, a combined vaccine given in several doses in early childhood protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella. Mumps is therefore now most common in children who have not received the MMR vaccine as having the vaccine reduces the risk of getting mumps by around 85%. Just like a virus causing colds and flu, mumps is easily spread from infected saliva or mucus in the mouth, nose, or throat. It can be inhaled or picked up from contaminated surfaces and transferred to the mouth or nose. The most common symptom of mumps is a swelling of the salivary gland in front of the ear, usually affecting just one side of the face, and giving a characteristic hamster appearance known as parotitis. These swollen glands usually last for 5-8 days before settling down. A few days before the swelling appears, people can also experience high fevers, headaches and muscle aches. For this reason, people are most infectious a few days before the symptoms develop and for a few days after. About a quarter of people with mumps experience no symptoms and most children with mumps are back to normal after 10 days.

Monkeypox
Condition

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a relatively rare disease that entered common public knowledge in 2022 as an outbreak spread within the US. Cases are usually restricted to Africa, and it usually causes only a mild illness. Monkeypox is a virus from the same family as smallpox, a devastating condition that has been defeated worldwide. It's very different from the COVID-19 or chickenpox viruses. It is called monkeypox because it was first discovered in monkeys in 1958. It took 10 years for the first cases to be recorded in humans, and the most likely transmission is still from animals to humans rather than human to human. There are two strains, one from western Africa and one from central Africa. The cases in the US are the western African strain, which causes a milder illness. Although monkeypox was declared a public health emergency in the US in August 2022, most people are not severely unwell. Still, scientists are investigating why it seems to be spreading more quickly from human to human than previously. One working theory is that now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, people are traveling more but have lost some natural immunity to fight viruses during the prolonged period of lockdowns and mask-wearing.

Molluscum
Condition

Molluscum

Molluscum contagiosum are small protruding, smooth, shiny bumps, often flesh-colored or pink/red, and distinguished by the dip in the center of their tip. If squeezed (and we advise not), a semi-solid substance may ooze out. This is not recommended as this liquid contains the molluscum virus that causes the bumps, and as these are highly contagious, squeezing risks spreading to other parts of the body or gifting to friends and loved ones. Molluscum is common and usually seen in children. It causes no harm, but parents or sufferers may be bothered by the appearance, and occasionally, a molluscum may become itchy and irritated, or even infected with bacteria.

Verruca
Condition

Verruca

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).

Strep A
Condition

Strep A

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.

Shingles
Condition

Shingles

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
Condition

Rotavirus

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
Condition

Rickets

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.

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