Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Viral Infections
Number of Conditions: 8
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Infectious Diseases
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
fever; painful sores in the mouth; rash with blisters on the hands, feet, and buttocks; loss of appetite; irritability in infants; sore throat
Root Cause:
Viral infection commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16 or enterovirus 71.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical diagnosis based on characteristic rash and oral ulcers; PCR testing in atypical cases.
Treatment:
Supportive care, including hydration and pain relief.
Medications:
No specific antiviral treatment; symptomatic management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain. Topical anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine ) can be used for mouth sores.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in children under 5 years; outbreaks occur worldwide, especially in daycare settings.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young age, close contact with infected individuals, poor hygiene.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; most children recover fully within 7–10 days.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare complications include viral meningitis, encephalitis, or dehydration due to difficulty swallowing.
COVID-19
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory System
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
fever; dry cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; loss of taste or smell; sore throat; muscle aches; headache; chills; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea
Root Cause:
Caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus. Transmitted through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
PCR testing, rapid antigen tests, and clinical evaluation of symptoms.
Treatment:
Supportive care, antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, and oxygen therapy in severe cases.
Medications:
Antiviral drugs such as remdesivir (RNA polymerase inhibitor) and paxlovid (combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir ) may be used. Severe cases may require corticosteroids like dexamethasone or monoclonal antibodies for immunomodulation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects populations globally; widespread outbreaks occurred in 2020-2021 with continued endemic cases.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, obesity, chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, COPD), immunosuppression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable; mild cases recover in 1-2 weeks, while severe cases can lead to long-term complications or death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), blood clots, multi-organ failure, "long COVID" (persistent symptoms).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Specialty: Pulmonology
Category: Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory System
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
runny nose; cough; sneezing; wheezing; fever; decreased appetite; difficulty breathing in severe cases
Root Cause:
Caused by RSV, a highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract, particularly dangerous for infants and older adults.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, rapid RSV antigen testing, or PCR tests.
Treatment:
Supportive care, including hydration, oxygen therapy, and in severe cases, mechanical ventilation.
Medications:
In severe cases, ribavirin (antiviral) may be used. For high-risk infants, palivizumab (monoclonal antibody) can be administered prophylactically. Symptomatic relief includes fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen .
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects most children by age 2; seasonal outbreaks in fall and winter. Severe cases more common in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prematurity, congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, weakened immune systems, crowded living conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve within 1-2 weeks; severe cases can require hospitalization.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pneumonia, bronchiolitis, respiratory failure, and increased risk of asthma later in life.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Anal Warts
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
flesh-colored or gray growths around or inside the anus; itching or discomfort in the anal area; bleeding during bowel movements; feeling of a lump near the anus
Root Cause:
Caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly strains 6 and 11, leading to benign growths. High-risk HPV strains may increase the risk of anal cancer.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual inspection, anoscopy, and biopsy if malignancy is suspected. HPV DNA testing can confirm the viral type.
Treatment:
Topical treatments (e.g., imiquimod or podophyllotoxin), cryotherapy, electrocautery, or surgical excision. Prevention includes HPV vaccination.
Medications:
Imiquimod (immune modulator), podophyllotoxin (antimitotic), and trichloroacetic acid (caustic agent for wart removal).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; approximately 1% of sexually active adults have visible genital or anal warts at any time.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Unprotected sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, immunosuppression, and history of HPV infection.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for benign warts with treatment; high-risk HPV types require monitoring for potential progression to anal cancer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence of warts, psychological distress, and progression to anal dysplasia or cancer in high-risk HPV infections.
Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores)
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
painful, fluid-filled blisters around the lips or mouth; tingling or itching at the site before blister formation; crusting of sores as they heal; occasional fever and swollen lymph nodes in severe cases
Root Cause:
Caused by reactivation of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which remains dormant in the trigeminal nerve.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically by appearance of vesicular lesions.
Treatment:
Treated with antiviral medications like acyclovir or valacyclovir.
Medications:
Oral antivirals such as acyclovir , valacyclovir , or famciclovir (classified as antiviral agents). Topical antiviral creams like penciclovir can also be used.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 60-90% of the global population; recurrent episodes occur in 20-40% of those infected.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, sun exposure, illness, immunosuppression, trauma to the lips, or hormonal changes.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally self-limiting; symptoms resolve in 1-2 weeks. Antiviral treatments can reduce the duration and severity of episodes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infection, erythema multiforme, or more severe outbreaks in immunocompromised individuals.
Herpetic Gingivostomatitis
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
painful ulcers and blisters on the gums and inside the mouth; fever; swollen, bleeding gums; difficulty eating and drinking; malaise
Root Cause:
Primary HSV-1 infection of the oral mucosa, often occurring in children.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed clinically by oral lesions and systemic symptoms.
Treatment:
Treated with antivirals (e.g., acyclovir) and supportive care such as hydration and pain relief.
Medications:
Oral acyclovir or valacyclovir (antiviral agents); acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever management.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common in children under 6 years old; HSV-1 is highly prevalent globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young age, exposure to someone with active HSV-1 infection.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Resolves in 7-14 days without long-term effects; antivirals reduce symptom severity and duration.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Dehydration from reduced oral intake, secondary bacterial infections, or more severe HSV infection in immunocompromised individuals.
HPV-Related Oral Lesions
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
painless growths or warts in the oral cavity; white or red patches; hoarseness or throat discomfort if lesions are in the pharynx
Root Cause:
Infection with HPV types (e.g., HPV-16, HPV-18) causing benign or precancerous lesions in the oral cavity.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through visual examination, biopsy, and HPV testing.
Treatment:
Treated with surgical excision, laser therapy, or topical agents like podophyllin for warts.
Medications:
No specific medications for established oral HPV lesions; treatment is procedural.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
HPV is widespread, affecting approximately 80% of sexually active individuals at some point; oral lesions are less common.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sexual activity, smoking, immunosuppression, and poor oral hygiene.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Benign lesions are treatable; high-risk HPV types may progress to oropharyngeal cancer if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malignant transformation, particularly with high-risk HPV strains.
Orf
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections
Sub-category: Viral Infections
Symptoms:
painful pustules or nodules on the hands or face; mild fever; swelling of nearby lymph nodes
Root Cause:
Zoonotic infection caused by Orf virus, transmitted from infected sheep or goats.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical appearance and history of animal exposure; PCR or electron microscopy for confirmation.
Treatment:
Supportive care; antiviral medications like cidofovir in severe cases.
Medications:
No specific antiviral; cidofovir may be used off-label in severe infections.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among livestock handlers; endemic in regions with sheep and goat farming.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Direct contact with infected animals, lack of protective gloves.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Self-limiting in most cases, resolving in 4–6 weeks.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare secondary bacterial infections or widespread lesions in immunocompromised patients.