Diseases Articles A-Z
Botulism transmission does not occur from one person to another. It occurs when the toxin-producing spores are ingested. This page on the eMedTV website describes how botulism transmission occurs in infants, wounds, and food.
Key aspects of botulism treatment include careful observation and supportive care in a hospital. As this eMedTV article explains, an injection of botulism antitoxin -- if the disease is caught early enough -- may also be used for botulism treatment.
There are three main botulism types: foodborne botulism, wound botulism, and infant botulism. This portion of the eMedTV archives describes these botulism types in detail and also provides information about what is known as "bioterror botulism."
The three main types of botulism are foodborne, wound, and infant botulism. This eMedTV article explains that all three types can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies if they occur. Butulism is a common misspelling of botulism.
This eMedTV article discusses the cause of leprosy in detail (the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae) and explains factors that can affect how the bacteria are transmitted, such as genetics and environmental conditions.
The cause of Raynaud's is unknown; however, certain risk factors can increase the chances of getting it. This eMedTV page explains these risk factors and how they may lead to the development of Raynaud's phenomenon.
The exact cause of Sjogren's syndrome is unknown; however, as this eMedTV resource explains, scientists think that genetics and/or the environment may play a role in the development of the disease, acting as possible triggers.
Typhoid fever is caused by an infection with the bacterium Salmonella typhi. This portion of the eMedTV archives provides information about this cause of typhoid fever, how it is transmitted, and people who are most at risk from it.
Although the causes of Behcet's disease are unknown, inflammation of the blood vessels often causes symptoms to appear. This eMedTV page explains how the environment and genetics, while not causes of Behcet's disease, may lead to its development.
The Clostridium botulinum bacterium produces nerve toxins that are the causes of botulism. As this section of the eMedTV library explains, this bacterium can produce seven forms of this toxin, only four of which are causes of botulism in humans.
The causes of leprosy can be traced to an infection with Mycobacterium leprae. This eMedTV article discusses this bacteria in detail and explains factors that affect how it is transmitted, such as genetics or environmental conditions.
Radiation from cancer treatment and certain drugs are possible causes of pulmonary fibrosis. This eMedTV segment covers other factors that may cause the progressive disease and offers information on unknown pulmonary fibrosis causes.
The causes of sarcoidosis are unknown, but genetics and the immune system may have something to do with it. This eMedTV article explores theories supporting these possible causes of sarcoidosis.
The most common causes of UTI involve a type of bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E coli). This eMedTV resource discusses bacteria and other organisms (such as chlamydia and mycoplasma) that may cause a UTI.
Causes of whooping cough involve infection with Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) bacteria. This eMedTV resource explains how the bacteria cause whooping cough and includes information on how the bacteria are transmitted.
CFS myths circulating include the false notion that people with the condition lose their fingerprints. This eMedTV article debunks myths concerning chronic fatigue syndrome and recommends credible sources for information about CFS.
This eMedTV article offers a detailed look at the characteristics of leprosy and explains factors that can affect severity and specific symptoms. It also explains the incubation period for the disease and body parts that are commonly affected.
Contagious Period for Whooping Cough
The contagious period for whooping cough lasts as long as an infected person has symptoms of the illness. As this eMedTV article explains, however, a person with whooping cough is often most contagious during the first three weeks of symptoms.
Cowpox is a viral infection most commonly spread through direct contact with an infected cow's teat. This eMedTV Web page provides a brief overview of the condition and links to more information. Cow pox is a common misspelling of cowpox.
Cowpox is a viral infection that is most often found among wild rodents in Europe. This eMedTV article provides a brief overview of cowpox, which is a disease rarely seen in humans. Cow pox disease is a common misspelling and variation of cowpox.
Cowpox is a rare disease that is commonly spread through direct contact with an ulcer on a cow's teat. This eMedTV resource offers a more in-depth look at cowpox and its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
This segment of the eMedTV archives describes CREST -- a type of scleroderma that affects the skin only in certain areas, including the fingers, hands, and face. The symptoms that the acronym is based on are also explained.
As this eMedTV page explains, limited scleroderma is sometimes referred to as CREST syndrome because of the predominance of certain symptoms, such as calcinosis. This condition can occur anywhere in the body, but tends to affect the extremities.
In order to cure leprosy, doctors prescribe antibiotics that kill the bacteria responsible for the disease. This eMedTV article discusses the three most commonly used antibiotics and explains what happened to people prior to their development.
This eMedTV article lists the most common antibiotics used as cures for leprosy: rifampin, dapsone, and clofazimine. It also explains the success rate with these drugs and what happened to people prior to their development.
Diagnosing Polymyalgia Rheumatica
As this eMedTV page explains, diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica usually involves taking the patient's medical history and performing certain tests, such as rheumatoid factor. This page covers the process of making a polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosis.