Infectious Disease

The appendix is a small finger-shaped organ that extends from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis is a painful inflammation of the appendix. Typically, the pain initiates near the navel and then travels to the lower right side. Although anyone can develop appendicitis, but it is most common between the ages of 10 and 30. Standard treatment is surgical removal of the appendix.

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, tiny sacs of fluid that help to reduce the friction between moving parts around the shoulder. Bursa serve as a cushion for the moving rotator cuff tendons. The bursa can become painful when inflamed due to an injury, overuse or condition such as rheumatoid or osteo- arthritis.

Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. Left untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems. Good hygiene is important for preventing a would from developing cellulitis.

The medical community considers a fever a body temperature of 100.4 or greater. A fever is a temporary increase in body temperature commonly due to an illness the body has recognized and to which the immune system is responding. Other indicators of a fever may be sweating, chills, muscle soreness, irritability, general malaise, lethargy or weakness, and headache.

Pleural effusion is a condition in which fluid builds up between the lungs and chest wall. A hallmark symptom is the inability to breathe without distress unless sitting straight up or standing.

Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The air sacs of the lung(s) become inflamed and may fill with fluid or pus. Symptoms include phlegmy coughing, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening.

Sepsis is an infection that results in organ damage. Any infection can lead to sepsis, but most commonly sepsis results from pneumonia, an abdominal infection like appendicitis or gall bladder infection, or a skin infection.

Common infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections that happen when bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, enter the urethra, and infect the urinary tract. The infections can affect several parts of the urinary tract, but the most common type is a bladder infection. They are most frequent in females, but other factors include sexual activity, pregnancy, changes in body chemistry, and aging.