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General Illness Information Common Name: Shingles Medical Term: Herpes Zoster Description: Reactivation of a latent or dormant virus (varicella,or chickenpox virus)  in the body. When the virus is activated, it spreads through part of the nervous system called the dorsal root ganglia, causing the characteristic crops of blistering lesions (vesicles) of shingles. Can affect any age, but most common in adults over the age of 50. Causes: Herpes zoster is…

General Illness Information Common Name: HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE Medical Term: COXSACKIE VIRUS A-16 INFECTION Description: It is a viral illness presenting with ulcers in the mouth and water blisters or red spots on palms, soles of feet and in groin and buttock area. Mainly occurs in children from 6 months to 4 years. Causes: Coxsackie Virus A-16 Infection Prevention: Prevent exposure of infants and young children to anyone…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GONORRHEA Common Name: None Specified Description: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infectious disease of the reproductive organs, caused by the bacterium Niesseria gonorrhea. It usually infects urethra in males and in females urethra, vagina, cervix and/or fallopian tubes. It may also involve anus, throat, joints and eyes. It is spread by sexual contact. It may spread through the blood stream to other parts of the…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME (Infectious polyneuropathy, Acute Idiopathic polyneuritis). Common Name: Description: Guillain-Barre syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system that produces rapidly worsening muscle weakness, sometimes leading to paralysis. Causes generalized and symmetrical weakness involving muscles at the extremities and on the trunk, as well as sensory symptoms. Weakness appears either rapidly or over 1-2 weeks, and can produce failure of breathing muscles…

General Illness Information Medical Term: GOUT Common Name: None Specified Description: Gout is a disorder characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of very painful joints, caused by deposits of uric acid crystals, which accumulate in the joints because of an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Crystals in the joints, cause pain, redness, warmth and swelling and most commonly affect the big toe. It may involve any…

General Illness Information Common Name: Ulcerative Colitis Medical Term: Ulcerative Colitis Description: It is an inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by episodes of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Secondary to ulceration in the mucosal lining of the large bowel. Usually this is a disease of flare ups and remissions. Occurs most commonly between ages of 15 and 40 and more common in women. Causes: Unknown. Genetic, infectious, immunologic and…

General Illness Information Medical Term: Upper Respiratory Infection, URI Common name Common Cold Description: A contagious viral infection of the upper-respiratory passages Causes: Any of at least 100 viruses. Virus particles spread through the air or from person-to-person contact, especially hand-shaking. Prevention: Wash hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or handling food. To prevent spreading a cold to others, avoid unnecessary contact during the contagious phase (first 2 to…

General Illness Information Medical Term: INCONTINENCE, STRESS Common Name: None Specified Description: Involuntary loss of bladder control and passage of urine in conditions of high abdominal pressure or stress (coughing, sneezing, lifting, etc.). Commonest in post-menopausal women. Causes: Loss of pelvic support with age, childbirth and surgery. Damage to sphincter control mechanisms in males (rare). Prevention: Eat a normal, well-balanced diet and exercise regularly to build and maintain muscle strength….

General Illness Information Common Name: Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Medical Term: None Specified Description: A chronic inflammatory disorder of connective tissue, of unknown cause. Involves major organs such as skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, etc. Occurs predominantly in young women, also occurs in children Causes: Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s defenses against infection attack the body’s own tissue. This causes inflammation. Areas of the…

General Illness Information Medical Term: THYROID NODULE (SOLITARY THYROID NODULE, MULTINODULAR GOITER, BENIGN NODULE, MALIGNANT NODULE, COLLOID NODULE, NODULAR THYROID) Common Name: GOITRE Description: Thyroid nodule is a swelling/mass on the thyroid gland Thyroid nodules are most often benign  (fewer than 5% of detected nodules are malignant). A thyroid nodule may be found on palpation of the gland by your physician, or incidentally on a thyroid/neck ultrasound. Thyroid nodules are…