
Infection: Bacterial or viral? - Mayo Clinic
Feb 4, 2023 · Viruses. Viruses are bits of genetic information, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by protein. A virus needs a living host, such as a person, plant or animal. To spread, a virus gets into a host's body and then into the host's cells. Then it takes over the host cell's machinery, using it to make more of the virus. Diseases caused by viruses include:
Germs: Protect against bacteria, viruses and infections
Mar 5, 2024 · Viruses are responsible for causing many diseases, including: Common cold. Influenza. Measles. Chickenpox and shingles. Coronavirus disease 2019, also called COVID-19. Antibiotics kill or block activities bacteria need to live or grow, but antibiotics don't work on viruses. Medicine that treats viral infections is called an antiviral.
Neuro-infectious Diseases - Overview - Mayo Clinic
Mar 22, 2025 · Contact Arizona. Neuro-infectious Diseases; Mayo Clinic; 13400 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Phone: 480-301-8000
Influenza (flu) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Jan 28, 2025 · Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing often. A person's first flu infection gives some long-term protection against similar strains of flu. But the vaccines offered each year are made to match the flu virus strains that are most likely to …
Infectious diseases - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
4 days ago · Viruses. These microscopic germs are even smaller than bacteria. They cause many diseases, including the common cold, COVID-19 and HIV. Fungi. These cause many skin diseases, such as ringworm and athlete's foot. Other types of fungi can infect the lungs, eyes, liver or brain. Parasites.
Diarrhea - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Jan 18, 2025 · Viruses. Viruses that can cause diarrhea include Norwalk virus, also known as norovirus, enteric adenoviruses, astrovirus, cytomegalovirus and viruses that cause hepatitis. Rotavirus is a common cause of sudden childhood diarrhea.
Common cold - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
May 24, 2023 · Many viruses can cause a common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause. A cold virus enters the body through the mouth, eyes or nose. The virus can spread by: Droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. Hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Jan 7, 2022 · Inhaling viruses — the most likely form of transmission — when they become airborne from disturbed rodent droppings or nesting materials; Eating food contaminated with mouse saliva, urine or droppings; Touching things contaminated with the virus, such as a nest, and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose; Being bitten or scratched by an ...
Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) - Mayo Clinic
Jan 18, 2022 · You're most likely to get viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water. You may also be likely to get gastroenteritis if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who has one of the viruses that cause the condition. Many viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including: Noroviruses.
Medical Diseases & Conditions - Mayo Clinic
Explore comprehensive guides on hundreds of common and rare diseases and conditions from the experts at Mayo Clinic.