Herpes is a viral infection that can spread easily from person to person. The most common types of herpes are oral herpes and genital herpes. Although the viral infection can cause painful and itchy sores, it usually does not cause more serious health conditions. Two similar viruses can cause herpes. Both herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) can cause sores. If you develop sores in and around your mouth or throat, you have an oral herpes infection. If you develop sores in and around your genitals, upper thighs, or butt, you have a genital herpes infection. Symptoms of Herpes ..read more

Knowing more about your heart rate can help you tune in to your body and pay attention to your health. Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. But your heart rate does not stay the same throughout the day. Many things can affect your heart rate. Your resting heart rate is often much different than how often your heart beats during physical activity. Most often, your doctor will measure your heart rate when resting. This number is often one of many measurements that help your doctor understand your overall health. What Is a Normal Heart Rate? When most people think ..read more

Ringworm is a type of skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm can occur anywhere on the body, although it may look different depending on where it appears.  Although the common name is ringworm, it is a fungal infection not caused by a worm. Many infections are recognizable because a raised ring forms. Often in the ring’s center is another raised or blistered area. In lighter skin, ringworm usually appears pink or reddish. On darker skin, ringworm may appear grayish or brown. The fungi that cause ringworm can live on many surfaces and also on pets and farm animals. This skin inf ..read more

When the capsule and ligaments of the wrist are injured, it may result in a wrist sprain. Wrist sprains are common in athletes, especially tennis players, skiers, and gymnasts, but they also result from falls. Most wrist sprains are mild and will heal with home treatment. However, a torn ligament can cause intense pain. Symptoms of a Sprained Wrist The symptoms of a sprained wrist include the following: A popping sound or tearing sensation in the wrist at the time of the injury Pain Swelling Decreased range of motion Instability and weakness Tenderness Mild sprains are often mildly ..read more

Knee sprains are common injuries, especially in the field of athletics. But anybody can get a knee sprain by falling or twisting one’s foot.  Knee sprains affect four ligaments: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). When the anterior cruciate ligament is twisted or extended beyond its limits, it leads to an ACL sprain.  A hard blow or direct impact against a bent knee often results in a PCL sprain. When the outer knee is pushed inward by a sudden impact while the foot is on th ..read more

Fungal infection is also known as mycosis. It is a disease caused by fungi and is present in three different ways: Superficial fungal infection Subcutaneous fungal infection Systemic fungal infection Fungal Infection Symptoms  Superficial fungal infections affect the skin, nails, and mucous membranes. These infections include:  Onychomycosis (nail infections) Candidiasis (oral thrush and yeast infections) Ringworm (athlete’s foot, jock itch, etc.) Tinea versicolor (skin discoloration) Superficial and subcutaneous fungal infections share symptoms. These include thick, c ..read more

Ankles contain strong ligaments that connect the foot bones with the bones in the lower leg. Ligaments protect and stabilize the ankle joint; when they become stretched or torn, it results in a sprained ankle.  The ankle ligaments perform vital functions, including the following:  Absorbing shock from walking or running Holding the footbones in the proper position Preventing twisting and unnatural folding Preventing the ankle from moving in directions that could cause injury There are three main ligament groups in the ankle:  Medial or deltoid ligament Lateral ligaments Synd ..read more

In some cases, staph infections are minor. But in other cases, they can become dangerous MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. The latter means an immediate visit to urgent care. Causes of Staph Infections The bacteria that cause staph infections live on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. It is called Staphylococcus bacteria. When there is an overgrowth, it becomes a staph infection. Symptoms of Staph Infection You may have a range of symptoms depending on what kind of staph infection you have. If you have the following symptoms, visit urgent care or the ..read more

A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI). It happens when harmful bacteria reach one or both organs. The condition, known as pyelonephritis, is a serious one. If kidney infection symptoms persist, severe complications may arise. Kidneys are essential to your health. They filter waste and remove unwanted materials from the blood. The waste is then dumped out of your body as urine.  What Is the Cause of Kidney Infections? Most UTIs do not involve the kidneys. It usually affects the bladder and urethra, where urine passes. However, the bacteria can sometimes reach the ex ..read more

Cases of ear infections are common, especially in children. Also known as Otitis Media, it happens when bacteria or virus goes to the eardrums and traps fluids behind them.  Most cases are mild, clearing up on their own. Some may require medication to relieve the pain and other symptoms. However, you will need to take antibiotics if the infection does not improve or gets worse over a few days.  In either case, it is crucial to see your doctor when treating ear infections and checking if they have cleared. An ongoing infection can get worse and lead to hearing problems and complicatio ..read more