What is a cold?
A cold is caused by a virus that affects the nose and throat. It is the most common infectious illness, especially for young children. Young children may have 8 to 10 colds each year, with the highest number usually being during the first two ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Cold sores
Cold sores are a skin infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Most people are infected in childhood but do not experience any symptoms. Some people with the virus experience cold sores, which are fluid-filled blisters. People with cold ... [... more]
Better Health |
HIV and men - safe sex
Men can contract HIV from other men or women. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is commonly spread through unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with an infected person. HIV is transmitted by body fluids including blood, ejaculate (cum), ... [... more]
Better Health |
Gastroenteritis - an overview
Gastroenteritis (gastro) is an illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. Some of the causes include viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, ... [... more]
Better Health |
Genital warts - Better Health Channel.
Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmissible infections (STIs). They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Some strains of HPV infect the cervix and can increase the risk of cervical cancer. Pap tests (smears) can pick ... [... more]
Better Health |
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum are small painless pink or pearly white lumps that appear in small groups on the skin, often on the back or chest, and sometimes on the face. They are caused by a virus called the molluscipoxvirus. They will go away without ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Infections - bacterial and viral
Many human illnesses are caused by infection with either pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria or viruses. To cause disease, these micro-organisms must gain access to the body. Bacteria reproduce by splitting in two, while viruses replicate ... [... more]
Better Health |
HIV treatment
New drug treatments for HIV offer most people infected with the virus the chance to control the virus and stay healthy for much longer. Drug treatment for HIV is known as combined antiretroviral therapy (CAR) or, sometimes, highly active ... [... more]
Better Health |
Lisa Desimini
Tundra's Lisa Desimini is a graduate from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Since then she has written and illustrated over thirty books for children. Her award-winning books include Iris finds out that having a stomach virus is ... [... more]
Random House |
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that causes inflammation (swelling and pain) of the liver. It is commonly spread through sharing unsterile needles, syringes and other injecting drug equipment. There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis ... [... more]
Better Health |
Reasons for not giving the vaccine
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus infection in the bowel. It mainly affects children under 5 years of age. Most people who get the infection either do not get sick, or they have only a short illness with ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Tonsillitis
Tonsils are glands at the side and the back of the throat that help the body fight infections. Tonsillitis is when there is an infection of the tonsils, usually caused by a virus. Only about 15% are caused by bacteria. The tonsils can become very ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
