Copyright 2018 Medical News TodayBacteria cause bacterial infections and viruses cause viral infections. Antibiotic drugs usually kill bacteria, but they are not effective against viruses. Infections caused by bacteria include strep throat, tuberculosis and urinary tract infections. Diseases caused by viruses include chickenpox, AIDS and common colds. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine whether a bacterium or a virus is causing your symptoms. Many ailments such as pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhea can be caused by either type of microbe.http://www.medicalnewstoday.comadmin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin)editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors)en-us Tue, 24 Apr 2018 09:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321598.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321598.phpEssential oils are a popular home remedy for many ailments, but can they soothe a sore throat? In this article, we look at the evidence behind using essential oils, such as lemon, lavender, peppermint, echinacea, and ginger, for a sore throat. Learn how to use them safely and if there are any adverse side effects.Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine Tue, 24 Apr 2018 06:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321597.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321597.phpA chronic cough is one that lasts for 8 weeks in adults or 4 weeks in children. It may produce mucus or be dry and tickle the throat. Common causes of a persistent cough include asthma and bronchitis. Less commonly, it can indicate lung cancer or heart problems. Learn more about causes, symptoms, and treatments here.Flu / Cold / SARS Tue, 24 Apr 2018 04:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321594.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321594.phpA malar rash is also known as a butterfly rash and appears on the face. It is usually red or purple and may be blotchy or solid. It can occur alongside many conditions, including lupus and rosacea. Treatment depends on the cause. There are lifestyle tips and tricks that can help. Learn more about the best ones here.Dermatology Fri, 20 Apr 2018 05:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321551.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321551.phpPink eye is a relatively common eye condition. There are many potential causes, but one of the most significant problems is how not to spread the condition to others. There are different types of pink eye, which can change the length of contagiousness. Knowing the signs can help a person avoid infecting anybody else.Eye Health / Blindness Thu, 19 Apr 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321537.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321537.phpMany women may view using intimate hygiene products, such as washes or wipes, as a necessity. But new research suggests that they may, in fact, be harmful.Women's Health / Gynecology Tue, 17 Apr 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321521.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321521.phpNew research shows that graphene spikes, when displayed vertically on a surface, kill off bacteria and prevent them from triggering an infection. Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Mon, 16 Apr 2018 09:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321512.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321512.phpA low anion gap from a blood test is usually nothing to worry about and often just a lab error. However, in some cases, it can indicate an underlying health condition. In this article, learn how an electrolyte test is used to calculate an anion gap, and what low and high anion gap results mean for someone’s health.Blood / Hematology Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321470.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321470.phpHigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol is known to play a role in the health of the heart. Now, researchers suggest it could also affect the immune response.Cholesterol Wed, 11 Apr 2018 07:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321466.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321466.phpThe gums come in many natural colors, including red, pink, brown, and black. However, changes in gum color can indicate an underlying health problem. In this article, learn about what causes black gums, including smoking, gingivitis, Addison’s disease, and amalgam tattoos. We also look at treatment and prevention.Dentistry Mon, 09 Apr 2018 07:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321435.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321435.phpScientists have developed a flexible, durable, see-through material that signals the presence of specific bacteria and can be used in food packaging.Public Health Fri, 06 Apr 2018 09:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321426.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321426.phpLooking in a mirror and seeing that the tongue has turned orange may be alarming, especially when a person has eaten nothing containing food coloring recently. In this article, learn what causes an orange tongue, including infections, medications, and beta carotene. We also describe what other colors may indicate.Ear, Nose and Throat Sat, 31 Mar 2018 09:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321379.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321379.phpMicroscopic mites can cause mange in animals, which is called sarcoptic mange. Humans can get a different form of mange called scabies. Symptoms of scabies include a rash, intense itching, blisters, or burrow marks on the skin. Scabies can be treated using scabicide topical creams that kill the mites and their eggs.Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Fri, 30 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321359.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321359.phpMost causes of a swollen earlobe, such as an injury from a contact sport or an allergic reaction to a piercing, are easily treated at home and can be prevented. However, there are other causes, such as cauliflower ear and mastoiditis that need medical attention. Read on to find out when to see a doctor.Dermatology Thu, 29 Mar 2018 05:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321355.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321355.phpFlat warts are small, smooth, raised bumps that often occur in clusters. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious. They can be treated with topical creams or removed by a doctor. Flat warts are not cancerous, but if a person is concerned about a skin bump they should see their doctor.Dermatology Wed, 28 Mar 2018 03:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321342.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321342.phpVaginal yeast infections are common and the result of an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. How long vaginal yeast infections last can vary, depending on their severity and what treatment is used. Learn more about what to expect and home remedies that may be worth trying to treat the infection and ease the symptoms.Women's Health / Gynecology Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321320.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321320.phpThe antibiotic teixobactin may succeed where others have failed; a synthetic version of it clears an infection with a drug-resistant superbug in mice.MRSA / Drug Resistance Mon, 26 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321306.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321306.phpA study set out to investigate the impact of long-term antibiotic use on the risk of death in women. The results add to existing worries about antibiotics.Women's Health / Gynecology Fri, 23 Mar 2018 03:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321295.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321295.phpThis article explains how and why urine tested for epithelial cells, what the results mean, and which conditions cause an increase in epithelial cells.Urology / Nephrology Thu, 22 Mar 2018 06:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321289.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321289.phpFoamy or frothy poop is usually diarrhea-like and may appear to have bubbles in it. It may also seem oily or contain mucus. Learn about the causes here.GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321280.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321280.phpWhat do white specks in stool indicate? Are there other symptoms to consider? We find answers and discuss treatment and prevention. Learn more here.GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Wed, 21 Mar 2018 07:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321275.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321275.phpA new study reveals that many marketed non-antibiotic drugs affect the growth of bacteria in the human gut and may contribute to antibiotic resistance.Biology / Biochemistry Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321265.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321265.phpEveryone knows that the platypus is an oddball. However, platypus milk might help us find a solution to a pressing problem: antibiotic resistance.Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321271.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321271.phpAre you scared that you may bring someone else's germs home as a souvenir after a flight? A new study gives us better clues as to how to avoid infection.Flu / Cold / SARS Mon, 19 Mar 2018 06:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321254.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321254.phpYogurt is a popular home remedy for yeast infections, and research supports its use. Learn how it works, how to use it, and when to see a doctor here.Women's Health / Gynecology Thu, 15 Mar 2018 09:00:00 PDThttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321217.phphttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321217.phpShingles usually causes a painful, blistering rash. It can also cause internal symptoms, appear without a rash, and may spread to internal organs.Shingles