Smallpox is a rare, contagious life-threatening infection caused by exposure to a virus called variola. There are two distinct forms of smallpox infection: variola major, which causes severe life-threatening side effects; and variola minor, which...
Smallpox justifiably earned the reputation as one of the most virulent diseases known to mankind. In 1967, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global smallpox vaccination campaign, which led to the eradication of the disease in 1979....
Smallpox once was one of the deadliest disease on the planet. The variola virus causes the disease which could both disfigure and kill people. While there still is no cure or treatment for smallpox, the disease was virtually eliminated from the...
Shingles strikes 1 million Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with most cases reported among individuals older than 50. However, younger people--even infants--can also develop shingles, leaving...
Over the centuries, many epidemic diseases have wiped out huge portions of the population. From cholera and small pox to the Black Death and influenza, the wide and rapid spread of diseases have decimated populations, yet in a way, have led to...
Pustules are red bumps on the skin that are filled with pus. The fluid contains oil that is secreted through the pores of the skin. Pustules usually remain small and red. According to Medline Plus, pustules are commonly associated with acne but...
Communicable diseases include a group of illnesses that humans can contract. If infected, they can suffer serious illness and life-threatening conditions. The key is learning to identify the most deadly, and realizing the steps to avoid coming in...
Molluscum contagiosum, known simply as molluscum, is a contagious viral disease that can infect adults suffering from a weakened immune system, but most often affects children between the age of one and 10. The virus causes a characteristic skin...
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused by a bacteria or a virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bacterial...
Chickenpox is a common childhood viral disease--and no, it is not transmitted by chickens. One theory behind the origin of the name "chickenpox" is that the blisters that appear as part of the usually mild disease looked to some like chickpeas,...
FluMist is the trade name for a nasal spray influenza vaccine. The vaccine contains live but weakened virus particles that provoke antibody production against influenza but do not cause disease. FluMist is a live, attenuated influenza vaccine or...
Cancer, in any form, is a devastating illness that is often treated with toxic treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments are often so toxic and harmful to the body that they lead to hair loss, extreme fatigue and...
Skin breakouts cause physical and emotional discomfort. They can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance, especially when breakouts occur on the face. Their concomitant itchy and painful sensations may become so intense that it is...
According to Harvard Medical School, Edward Jenner who was a country physician from England created the first vaccine in 1796. Jenner developed the small pox vaccine, which changed the course of this deadly disease. Since that time, many other...
Modern living can be taxing on the body's internal organs, especially the liver and kidneys. The kidneys filter liquid waste, which then passes from the body. Toxic buildup of the kidneys can lead to edema, kidney infections, and eventually renal...
Passed down from generation to generation, folk remedies provide a traditional approach to curing common ailments. Even today, many families turn to folk remedies for treatment before resorting to mainstream treatment methods, according to public...
Grape seed oil is the byproduct of grape seeds, which is left over after the seeds are squeezed for wine making. This leftover oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and fatty acids. Tom Valentine, founder of Carotec, a vitamin and alternative...
Viruses are tiny capsules that contain genetic material. They are significantly smaller than bacteria, and some of the most common infectious diseases -- warts, flu, common cold -- are caused by viruses. Viruses may also cause life-threatening...
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries have used olive leaf extract---a natural, medicinal treatment derived from the leaves of the olive tree---for a variety of reasons for centuries. Now, olive leaf extract (OLE, olea europaea) is gaining...
Noni has been used for thousands of years in Polynesia as a food, dye and medicine. The fruit of the noni tree has most commonly been used to treat a variety of ailments, although all parts of the tree are utilized medicinally. Despite noni's...
Your kidneys perform life-sustaining functions, not the least of which is to filter excess water and wastes from your blood, according to the National Kidney Foundation. These vital organs also help regulate blood pressure and manage the...
The strains of the herpes virus that affect humans share a common phenomenon called "latency": after the initial infection, the virus retreats to the immune system where it becomes dormant, or inactive, for a period of time. At times, for reasons...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend vaccination as the first step to reduce the risk of infection with seasonal and pandemic flu. In very rare cases, influenza vaccines are associated with serious neurological side...
Turmeric, the yellow spice used in curry, is more than just a flavorful addition to a meal. According to the Daily Mirror, a London newspaper, it contains an active chemical called curcumin, which has been used as a treatment for arthritis and...
People have touted the benefits of grapes for thousands of years. Today, people take the extract of grape seeds to help with everything from cancer to heart disease. Edema is swelling caused by fluid retention and occurs most commonly in the legs,...
For many years, grapes have been praised for their nutritional and medical aspects and, at one time or another, have been regarded as a cure for everything from cholera to smallpox. While evidence is lacking to support every claim about the...
The term "neuropathy" refers to diseases or injuries to the nerves or nerve cells. The symptoms of neuropathy depend on the particular nerves that are damaged. They often include numbness, tickling or pricking sensations, muscle weakness and pain....
Grapes have been cultivated and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Commonly made into wine, grapes and grape products have been used to treat everything from skin irritation to nausea, from smallpox to cholera. This is due to the...
