Herpes Simplex

Herpes simplex is a viral disease caused by Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Herpes infections are categorised into one of several disorders based on the site on infection, ranging from oral herpes (an infection of the mouth), genital herpes (an infection of the genitals), herpes infections of the hand (herpes whitlow), ocular herpes (an infection of the eye), and possibly Bell’s Palsy.

Genital infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) are classed as a sexually transmitted infection. Preventing the spread of HSV-2 is encouraged, and barrier protection is the most reliable method. Despite the wide availability of condoms, many people who suffer HSV-2 infections will not present with symptoms and as such will only find out about their own infection when a partner shows signs of the infection.

Crab louse

Crab louse, or pubic louse - commonly referred to as "crabs" - are a parasitic insect exclusive to humans, that feed exclusively on blood. They are typically found in pubic hair around the genitals, but can also effect other areas of the body with hair, such as eyelashes.

Crab louse can be distinguished from other species of louse by their almost-round body. Adult crab louse are typically 1-2mm long, and are smaller than the body louse and head louse. The term "crab louse" comes from their much thicker two front legs that are equipped with two large claws.

Thrush (Candidiasis)

Thrush (candidiasis) - commonly referred to as a yeast infection - is a fungal infection of any of a number of species of yeasts (candida). These yeast infections can range in severity, from simple and superficial infections of the mouth and genitals, to more severe and potentially life-threatening systemic infections.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea - colloquially known as "the clap" - is a common sexually transmitted infection, and is thought to be the second most prevalent STI in the US and UK.

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium called neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex. The chance for men to get the infection through vaginal intercourse with an infected woman is roughly 20%, and is higher for homosexual intercourse. In women the chance of getting the infection is much higher, roughly 60-80% when having sex with an infected man. Gonorrhea, like other STIs such a chlamydia, may be passed on to babies by infected women, and can infect the infant's eyes (ophthamia neonatorum).

Arthritis

Arthritis is a joint disorder involving inflammation of one or more joints.

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis, the most common form being osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease caused by trauma, age or infection of the joints). Other forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout and septic arthritis.

The main signs and symptoms of arthritis are swelling and pain associated with one or more joints. Most patients complain of pain in the joints before swelling is visible, with both the pain and swelling becoming progressively worse if left untreated. Different forms of arthritis require different treatments, and many forms of arthritis are irreversible with treatment focusing on pain management.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most common STI in the United Kingdom and the United States, and is one of the most common in the world. It is estimated that around 1 million people in the United States are infected with chlamydia.

Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral sex, and can also be passed onto babies during vaginal birth. Between 50% and 75% of all women infected with cervical chlamydia - cervicitis - do not suffer any symptoms and are not aware they are infected. In men chlamydia is usually represented by a white discharge from the penis, with or without pain during urination. If left untreated chlamydia can lead to a number of other more severe health problems.

Asthma

Asthma is a common disease effecting the respiratory system, and its prevalence has increased significantly over the last 30 years. It is estimated that as many as 300 million people globally are affected by asthma, and it is responsible for around 250,000 deaths a year.

Asthma is characterized by recurring symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breathe. These symptoms are variable, and they may differ from person to person. There are different classifications of asthma, which are intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Diagnosis and classification is based on the symptoms present and their frequency, as well as the patients response to therapy.