Health Topics & Alerts
Common Cold
A cold virus can attack and multiply in
cells that line the nose and throat. You can catch a cold if
you touch your eyes or nose after touching the hand of an infected
person or touching a hard surface shortly after an infected
person touched it.
Hepatitis
B
Hepatitis B is a viral disease caused by
the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) that attacks the liver. It is a
serious illness that can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis
(scarring of the liver), liver cancer, liver failure and death.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Genital HPV is a common virus that is transmitted through genital contact. About 30 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of men and women. While most HPV types cause no symptoms and go away on their own, some types can cause cervical cancer in women. These types have also been linked to other less common genital cancers, including cancers of the anus, vagina, and vulva (area around the opening of the vagina). Other types of HPV can cause warts in the genital areas of men and women, called genital warts.
Influenza
Influenza, also known as the flu, is
a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It
attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and
lungs). Influenza usually occurs during the months
of November through April.
Meningococcal
Disease
Meningococcal disease is quite rare but
can be life threatening. The bacteria causing the disease Neisseria
Meningitides , can cause meningitis and septicemia (blood poisoning).
This particular bacterium is only one possible cause for meningitis
(an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and
spinal cord).
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis (mono) is an illness caused by infection with
a virus. The Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is the usual cause of
infectious mono. Infection with other viruses, like the cytomegalovirus
(CMV) can also produce a mono-like illness. Mono is an illness
mainly of adolescents and young adults. Generally, people only
get mono once.
Tuberculosis
TB, or tuberculosis, is a disease caused by bacteria called
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part
of your body, but they usually attack the lungs.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by the influenza viruses.
Viruses that cause gastroenteritis are spread through close contact with infected persons (for example, by sharing food, water, or eating utensils).
Avian Flu
It is a form of the flu (influenza) virus that usually only infects birds and sometimes infects pig.
