Latest Research

E. coli are extremely widespread bacteria. They live in the environment and in foods. Additionally, E. coli can live in human or animal guts. Many types of E. coli are harmless. But some can make...

Have you heard of epithelial cells? These have an important function in the body. They form barriers between the organs. Your skin consists of these cells. Additionally, they line your guts and your blood vessels....

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. It affects your entire body. In some cases, this disease is deadly. After all, it damages the lungs and kidneys. Lupus also has an effect on your blood vessels and...

Honey has long been the go-to home remedy for a variety of health problems. This superfood has strong antibacterial properties that can sometimes outperform standard antibiotics. There don't seem to be too many ailments...

Gonorrhea is an STD with some nasty symptoms. It can cause pain when you urinate and swelling in the genitals. If left untreated, it can lead to blocked fallopian tubes and ectopic pregnancies. If...

That's a tough question. There's a lot to unpack, and research has a long way to go before we'll have a complete answer. But here are a few findings in the grudge match of...

Short answer: Yes. The flu increases heart attack risk. And the news gets worse. And then it gets better. The Study The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at heart attacks occurring...

There's a new kid in town. And she's tough. We call her Polly (not her real name). She's a polymer, she's synthetic, and she's our new best friend. The thing about Polly is, she hits...

You already know that antibiotics disrupt the useful bacteria in your gut. But what about other types of medications? How do non-antibiotics affect stomach bacteria? A Shift in Balance Your digestion is in a delicate balance....

Each part of your immune system detects bacteria in different, complicated ways. But for an example of one aspect of immunology, let's look at a recent immunology breakthrough discovered by researchers at St. Jude's...

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most deadly bacterium on this planet. According to the World Health Organisation, 2016 saw 10 million people newly diagnosed with TB. And 1.7 million people died from the disease. One...

In the middle of the 20th century, antibiotics revolutionized the way we treated and prevented bacterial infections. Over the years, antibiotics saved countless lives and made bacterial infections a manageable condition. Recent discoveries may...

Many of us can remember when the polio vaccine came to our schools. They lined us up in the auditorium and handed us tiny little cups of clear liquid. And to us, the best...

Since the discovery of penicillin to fight bacterial infections, antibiotic molecules from a microorganism have been used to kill other bacteria. Unfortunately, bacteria are highly adaptable and eventually develop resistance to these antibiotics. It...

Could it be that research is about to discover the bacterium triggering rheumatoid arthritis? A lot more research is needed, but it's an incredibly hope-inspiring possibility. This may make the difference in discovering why...

The World Health Organisation has been highlighting the enormous threats we face from drug-resistant or antibiotic-resistant bugs. As bacteria become more and more sophisticated, conventional drugs often no longer suffice. However, recent research suggests...

For people who frequently suffer from oral herpes or Simplex 1 outbreaks, treatment choices are limited. In some instances, patients develop a resistance to available drugs, so that no treatment is available to them....

As you may know, syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. In addition, syphilis can be passed on through the placenta from the mother to her unborn child. This is called congenital syphilis,...

Simplex 2 infections or genital herpes are reducing in numbers. This is according to recently published government figures. In this article, we examine what Simplex 2 Infection is, while also looking at the reasons...

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus invading the liver and causing a varying degree of damage. In many instances, people show no symptoms long after contracting the virus. However, left untreated,...

While most cases of influenza come and go without seriously compromising the health of their hosts, some cases of the flu can have alarming effects on our body and even lead to death. However,...

Several medications have been used to treat hepatitis C with more or less success, but recent advances in medicine have been encouraging. In fact, a new drug has been so effective against the infection...

A liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a disease that can cause a lot of damage to the liver over a long period and even cause liver cancer. The condition...

A type of bacteria commonly found in the gut, Klebsiella oxytoca is generally considered healthy when contained in its natural environment. However, when it leaves our stomach, it can cause a serious infection that...

While many people like to keep things “down below” more free and natural. However, next time before you take a razor in your hand to trim your business, you might want to think twice...

Red, swollen, and painful, boils are pus-filled bumps that can sometimes appear under our skin. They are caused by a type of bacteria that attacks the hair follicles. While they may require medical attention,...

When you think of salmonella, food poisoning, getting violently sick, and gastrointestinal trouble spring to mind. However, it seems that this much-maligned bacterium has its uses. Researchers have investigated whether engineered Salmonella typhimurium may...

Too many trips in the drive-thru could do long term damage to the immune system. According to a recent study at the University of Bonn, the immune system reacts to a high calorie, high...

If you’ve ever had cold sores, you’ve got the simplex virus, also known as the herpes virus. It’s one of those viruses that can sleep inside your body for years without causing any health...

Over time, viruses tend to mutate and adapt in order to survive. In turn, this makes flu vaccines less effective. The seasonal flu shots usually protect you from only up to four different influenza...

Recent research suggests the flu could do more damage than making you call off work a couple days. The Society for Neuroscience recently conducted a study showing the flu can potentially change the structure...

Ever wonder what lurks in the depths of the oceans? Scientists are always making new discoveries. The latest one was a bit surprising, though. Because they found a virus that kills bacteria in the...

Did you know that animals can carry the simplex virus? Although it is rare, some people get infected from animals. Sometimes, animals can even carry a rare simplex virus that's lethal for humans. Macaques in...

A few years ago, scientists found that the Zika virus could cause brain damage in newborns. Fighting the Zika virus, which they thought was harmless, thus became their top priority. Apart from a new...

Some diseases are opportunistic. They piggyback on another infection. So, if you think having herpes is bad enough, think again. Having a certain herpes virus can increase your risk of MS. Herpes Virus and Multiple...

The symptoms of viral and bacterial infections are very similar. The only way to distinguish them is by undergoing a diagnostic test. However, this method is expensive and tedious. Viral infections are caused by...

Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus affects the eternal genitalia, mucosal surfaces, anal region and skin in other parts of the body. There are two types of herpes: ...

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that affects the female reproductive system particularly the vagina. The condition results from an imbalance of bacteria usually found in the vagina. These bacteria multiply in numbers causing disturbing...

If you are a woman, once or more in your lifetime, you are likely to encounter vaginal infections. Bacterial vaginosis happens to be one of the most common infections affecting women of child-bearing age....

Until a few years ago, experts thought that Zika virus was harmless. But then a study found a link between the virus and brain defects in newborns. Furthermore, there was a major outbreak of...

There are many methods available to prevent herpes. These range from the simplest (protected sex) to the more complex (pharmaceutical intervention). Even with all of the safeguards in place, however, herpes still has a...

Cold sores appear around your mouth when you contract the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Many medications can help reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. Yet, according to scientists, some natural ingredients...

When talking about common viral infections, it’s impossible not to mention herpes simplex. The disease caused by the HSV virus results in sores on the genitals and/or the mouth. Herpes is annoying to say...

To protect themselves from the flu, people get flu shots every year. But according to CDC, the effectiveness rate of this standard vaccine ranges from 40% to 60%. As such, about 50% of people...

Gonorrhea is not an uncommon STI. In fact, it is one of the most common sexually transmitted illnesses, with as many as 78 million new cases of gonorrhea occurring each year. Although it is...

For once, herpes virus contributed to something good. Namely, a 2015 study found that one lab-made form of the virus can serve as the cure for melanoma. This disease is the most lethal form...

During pregnancy, women are more prone to developing certain health problems. As such, immunization is very important. This is especially true of the flu. But are flu vaccines safe for pregnant women? Extensive research...

Even though the virus affects so many people, there's still no known herpes cure. But scientists are constantly working to find it. According to one study, they might need to look at specialized immune...

With a rise in STD’s (sexually transmitted disease) in the world, many are searching for cures or treatments. While some maintain education is the way to deal with the epidemic, others are pushing their...

The rate of herpes has dramatically risen over the last few years. As those infected knows, warts are one of the more embarrassing side effects of the disease. Research is beginning to suggest, however,...

For years, scientists have made attempts to determine the origin of herpes. Several major studies have helped them learn more about this virus that affects more than half of the world's population. What's more,...

Alzheimer’s is a nasty disease that affects many people. With the vast number of research underway to find cures for STD’s, a link has been found between the two diseases. Due to similarities in...