Herpes simplex is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) which can cause a vesicular rash anywhere on the skin or mucous membranes. There are two major strains, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types of herpes simplex virus can cause oral or genital infection. Most often, HSV-1 cause infection in the mouth (gingivostomatitis), [...]

Electrical injury occurs when an electric current runs through a portion of the body, usually from either a man-made source or lightning.  The outside of the person’s body may appear to have only minor injuries, but internal injuries may still be significant.  As current enters the body (source), it causes surface to deep burns, damages muscle and organs [...]

Diarrhoea is defined as the abrupt onset of abnormally high fluid content in the stool: more than the normal value of approximately 10 mL/kg/d in the infant and young child, and more than 200 g/d in the teenager and adult, in the setting of western diet (low fibre diet). This term is also used to [...]

Human exposure to toxoplasmosis is common wherever cats are found.  About 20 to 40% of healthy adults in the US are sero-positive, these are people who are evidently found infected but have no symptoms. The health consequence of toxoplasmosis is actually small, but it may be fatal for the unborn or people with a low [...]

Nose bleeding is a very common symptom that can happen to anyone from children to the elderly. The medical term is epistaxis. One out of every seven people will develop a nosebleed at some time in their lives. Nosebleeds tend to occur more often during winter months and in dry, cold climates. They can occur [...]

The human body is an amazing “machine” with an amazing “filter” organ, the kidneys. Unused metabolites will be transported through the blood stream and filtered by the kidneys, then excreted in the urine. When there is an imbalance of water, salt and mineral, these substances get stuck in the filter and accumulate becoming stones. They [...]

 Ever since the first bacterium of Salmonella was found in 1894, scientists have identified over 2300 Salmonella organisms. Salmonella typhi is one most important species in travel medicine as the cause of typhoid fever.  The bacteria can be introduced in the human body from contaminated food or water. Most bacteria will be killed when it [...]

Humans and alcoholic drinks have been linked up to 10.000 BC, where archeologist discovered the fact of purposely fermented drinks.  From this prehistoric drink, approximately 7-12% of the world’s population has an alcohol related disease. What Happens After Drinking Alcohol? Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body. The main immediate effect is in [...]

Pain, aches, or sores are the main complaint of up to 80% of people who seek medical attention. Though unpleasant, pain is actually our body’s defense mechanism to withdraw from potentially damaging situations, protect a damaged body part while it heals, and avoid those situations in the future. Though this is an important body response [...]

Psoriasis is a skin condition where the skin has hyperactive growth resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin.  Normally the skin grows layer by layer and by time the outer layer will flake off.  This turnover time, the time when the inner layer becomes the outer layer, is around 4 weeks, but [...]