What is Tuberculosis? TB is an infection or disease caused by a germ that you breathe into your lungs. There are two forms of TB: TB infection and TB disease. What is TB infection? TB infection is the form of TB where you have a small number of TB germs remaining alive in your body, […]

What is Smallpox? Smallpox is a disease caused by the virus (germ) Variola. The disease has been eradicated (completely stopped) following a successful worldwide vaccination program. Is there a risk of getting smallpox today? Smallpox was eliminated as a naturally occurring threat to humans in the late 1970s. The last case of smallpox in the United States […]

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-carried virus that can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease like encephalitis or meningitis. It was first identified in the United States in 1999. How is WNV spread? WNV is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV may also be […]

Rabies is a very serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals (if an animal has hair or fur, it is a mammal). Cats, dogs, raccoons, coyotes and foxes are mammals, as are people. Rabies is caused by a virus and almost always causes death. Rabies is usually a disease of animals, […]

What is Plague? Plague is a disease caused by the bacteria (germ) Yersinia pestis. There are two major types of plague illness that people can get: bubonic plague (swollen lymph nodes called buboes) and pneumonic plague (infection of the lungs). Plague has not been reported to occur in Massachusetts in over 100 years. How do people get […]

What is Pertussis? Pertussis, also called “whooping cough,” is a disease caused by bacteria (germs) that is easily spread from person to person. Pertussis is usually mild in older children and adults, but it often causes serious problems in very young children. What are the symptoms of pertussis? Pertussis symptoms have three stages. The first stage begins like a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and cough. The cough lasts for a week or two then slowly gets worse. The second stage is marked by uncontrolled coughing spells, vomiting after coughing, and sometimes a whooping noise that you can hear when the person breathes in. During severe coughing spells or spasms, a person may stop breathing or become blue in the face from lack of air. Between spells, the person often appears to be well. This stage lasts for about 2 to 6 weeks. The final stage is when the symptoms begin to gradually lessen. The person still may have coughing spells, but is beginning to get better. The duration of classic pertussis is about 6 to 10 weeks. Adults, teens and vaccinated children often have milder symptoms that can be like bronchitis or some other cough illness. How is pertussis spread? The germs that cause pertussis live in the nose, mouth and throat, and are sprayed into the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks. Other people nearby can then breathe in the […]

What is Mumps? Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. The most common symptom is swelling of the cheeks and jaw due to inflammation of one or both of the saliva glands near the ear and back of the jaw (most commonly the parotid glands). This may be very painful. However, approximately 33% […]

What is meningoccal disease? Meningococcal disease is caused by infection with bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. There are two major types of meningococcal disease: Meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia. Meningococcal meningitis is an infection of the tissue (called the “meninges”) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcemia is an infection of the blood and may also involve other […]

What is meningitis? Meningitis is an infection of the tissue (called the “meninges”) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. What are the symptoms of meningitis? Symptoms of meningitis may appear suddenly. Fever, severe and constant headache, stiff neck or neck pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, and rash can all be signs of […]

What is MRSA? MRSA is a kind of bacteria that is resistant to some kinds of antibiotics. To understand MRSA it is helpful to learn about Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, often called “staph,” because MRSA is a kind of staph. What are staph? Staph are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. […]