Infections – articles and advice
Chest and lung infections
Features on infections, immunity and prevention, from colds to more serious conditions. For trusted details, see our Patient Information Leaflets on infections.
Chest and lung infections
Chest infections can make breathing difficult and cause serious illness. Find out how to recognise the symptoms and what treatments can speed recovery.
- Strep A: what is Strep pneumonia and why are cases rising?
- Can zinc lozenges protect against coughs, colds, flu, and COVID-19?
- What's the difference between double pneumonia and pneumonia?
- What is walking pneumonia?
- What you need to know about pneumonia
COVID-19
- COVID-19 - coping with loneliness this Christmas
- How to contribute to COVID-19 research
- What are the long-term health impacts of coronavirus?
- How to help your child adjust to a post-COVID world
- Shielders: how can vulnerable people stay safe as restrictions end?
- What are the latest rules on face masks in the UK?
- What we know about the new COVID-19 variants Eris and Pirola
- Why are Black and Asian people at greater risk from COVID-19?
- Should we wear face masks after the pandemic?
- Long COVID: What are the symptoms and treatment?
- Is losing your sense of taste and smell a symptom of coronavirus?
- Are any coronavirus home remedies safe or effective?
- Can lifestyle changes reduce your COVID-19 risk?
- What are the benefits of mixing and matching COVID-19 booster vaccines?
- COVID-19: can children become seriously ill from coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how to keep kids active during the coronavirus lockdown
- How to cope with a fear of leaving lockdown
- COVID-19: is it safe to send your kids back to school?
- Tips to help your kids get used to face masks and coverings
- COVID-19: how to talk to children about the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how to manage back-to-school worries
- Is the pandemic affecting children's development?
- How to help children cope with stress and anxiety during the pandemic
- What are the school COVID rules October 2023?
- Does diabetes increase your risk of coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how to avoid burnout during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: can I get tested for coronavirus?
- How to reduce your risk of DIY injuries during coronavirus lockdown
- How to make the most of video therapy sessions during lockdown
- COVID-19: how to use pharmacies during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how to deal with an eating disorder during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: who can get tested for coronavirus under the new UK guidance?
- What to do if you need contraception or abortion care during lockdown
- COVID-19 antibody tests: how do they work and who can get tested?
- Vitamin D and coronavirus: is there evidence it can help?
- Coronavirus: why is outdoors safer than inside?
- COVID-19: do you need to wear a mask to avoid coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how does the coronavirus pandemic affect your sleep?
- Coronavirus: how quickly do COVID-19 symptoms develop and how long do they last?
- What to do if you have a dental emergency during the lockdown
- Why lockdown is making us feel exhausted
- COVID-19: can I still get my prescription during the coronavirus lockdown?
- Can apps help you manage your mental health during the pandemic?
- COVID-19: how to manage mood swings during coronavirus lockdown
- Is coronavirus guidance different for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- Should you worry about your lockdown drinking habits?
- How to cope with traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19: how to cope with loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what can I do under the new rules?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what is social distancing?
- COVID-19: will sticking to a routine help during coronavirus lockdown?
- COVID-19: how to look after your sexual health during coronavirus lockdown
- Coronavirus: what are moderate, severe and critical COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how does the coronavirus pandemic affect autistic people?
- COVID-19: what to do if you feel suicidal during the coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what to do if you need to see a GP or get medication
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to eat healthily from the cupboard and freezer
- COVID-19: coronavirus myths debunked
- COVID-19: how to protect yourself against coronavirus
- COVID-19 coronavirus: do I need to self-isolate?
- COVID-19: what happens next with the coronavirus outbreak?
- COVID-19: the latest UK coronavirus guidelines
- COVID-19: do you need to worry about coronavirus?
- COVID-19: what should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what is an underlying health condition?
- Coronavirus: how do we become immune to diseases like COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how to look after your mental health during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to self-isolate
- COVID-19: is handwashing still important when you're self-isolating?
- COVID-19: how to support vulnerable friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: what you need to know about coronavirus and pregnancy
- How to stay healthy while working at home
- COVID-19: what you need to know about coronavirus
- Why is ME/CFS research key to understanding long COVID?
- COVID-19: Can lockdowns change our personalities?
- Coping with anxiety around COVID-19 uncertainty
- COVID-19: How contagious is Omicron?
- COVID-19: Is Omicron a bigger threat than the Delta variant?
- What is the COVID-19 antibody blood test and should I get one?
- COVID-19: when do experts predict life will return to normal?
- COVID-19: how do Omicron symptoms compare to other variants?
- COVID-19: Should vulnerable people shield because of Omicron?
- Are we prepared to fight flu and COVID-19 this winter?
- How to ventilate safely to protect against COVID-19 this winter
- Why are women so vulnerable to COVID-19 in pregnancy?
- How to protect yourself from COVID-19 and flu in pregnancy
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to contraception?
- 19th July: staying safe as COVID-19 restrictions ease
- How could long COVID impact your mental health?
- How to hang on to a lockdown lifestyle
- A year on: what we now know about COVID-19
- How to make face masks and coverings more comfortable
- How to reduce your risk of coronavirus on public transport
- COVID-19: how to avoid catching viruses at work
- Are we prepared for another pandemic?
- Should you be worried about the Indian COVID-19 variant?
- May lockdown easing: what are the new restrictions?
- How to meet friends and family safely outdoors
- How to maintain a healthy lifestyle during lockdown
- Are the new COVID-19 swab tests accurate?
- Why it’s difficult to switch off during the pandemic
- The latest treatments for COVID-19
- COVID-19: how to stay safe at work
- Face coverings: what should you look for in a homemade mask?
- How does the new 90-minute COVID-19 test work?
- How has COVID-19 impacted cancer patients?
- What happens if you catch flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
- COVID-19: how to stay safe this Christmas
- How to choose the right face mask for you
- Lockdown easing: what is the plan and is it realistic?
- Test and trace: how does it work?
- How are universities supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Long COVID: what support is available?
- How have Brits neglected their oral health during the pandemic?
- How to book your COVID-19 booster vaccine
- COVID-19: What is herd immunity and will we ever reach it?
- What we know about the IHU COVID-19 variant
- COVID-19: When should you do a lateral flow test and when should you do a PCR?
- COVID-19: Should you cancel your Christmas plans because of Omicron?
- Flurona: What we know about COVID-19 and flu combined infection
- COVID-19: How to book your booster jab before the autumn and winter waves
- Why it's a good thing if you feel unwell after your COVID-19 booster jab
- What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 variant Pirola?
- Coronavirus: what are asymptomatic and mild COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how you can contribute to the fight against coronavirus
- What are the differences between colds, flu and COVID-19?
- What are the options for COVID treatment at home?
Gastrointestinal infections
Gastro bugs can cause nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. Learn about the causes, how to avoid dehydration, and when to seek medical advice.
Meningitis and sepsis
Meningitis and sepsis are medical emergencies. Learn the symptoms to watch for, how early treatment saves lives, and steps to reduce your risk.
Other infections
Not every infection fits neatly into a category. Discover more unusual infections and how doctors diagnose and treat them.
Sexually transmitted infections
STIs can be common and often show few symptoms. Learn how to protect yourself, get tested, and access discreet, effective treatment.
- Is it easy to have an HIV test?
- How good is PEP for preventing HIV?
- What you need to know about HPV
- Why regular STI checks are so important
- Why are STIs on the rise in older people?
- What to do if you think you have an STI
- What impact has COVID-19 had on HIV testing?
- Stigma of HIV and representations in the media
- Living with HIV from birth
- How often should you visit a sexual health clinic for a check-up?
- How do you know if you have HIV?
- Can you live a long, healthy life with HIV?
- Should HIV prevention pills be available on the NHS?
- Video: What are the different types of STI?
- Video: How does PID affect fertility?
- How to cope with a genital herpes diagnosis
- Why is syphilis on the rise?
- What living with HIV is like today
- Scientists identify a mechanism to 'neutralise' HIV
- A chlamydia vaccine has passed initial safety tests
- Why is PrEP still not available on the NHS in England?
- What not to say to someone with HIV
- What are universities doing to support student sexual health?
- Calls for improved access to sexual health services as STI rates soar
- The STIs you've never heard of
- Dispelling common myths about HIV and AIDS
- Women's HIV prevention: the importance of the vaginal ring
- First long-acting injectable HIV treatment approved
- What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
- World AIDS Day: Where are we now with HIV?
- Who should take the HIV prevention drug PrEP?
- How to cope with an HIV diagnosis
- HIV in women: what you should know
- How quickly do different STIs spread?
- Is oral sex less risky than intercourse?
- Safeguarding your sexual health at university
- The best way to treat a herpes outbreak
- Home STI tests: how they work and what to expect
- Can you get chlamydia from kissing?
- Oral sex: what you need to know to stay healthy
Travel related infections
Travelling abroad? Learn how to protect yourself from diseases like malaria and traveller’s diarrhoea and what precautions reduce your risk.
Urinary tract and kidney infections
Burning when you pee? UTIs are common and can spread to the kidneys. Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
Vaccinations
Vaccines protect individuals and communities from serious illness. Learn how they work and which ones are recommended for different age groups.
- Free chickenpox vaccine to be offered to children in England for the first time
- Are we any closer to a coronavirus vaccine?
- How to speak to someone who's hesitant about vaccines
- When should I get my flu vaccine?
- Everything you need to know about the rabies jab
- Will we need a COVID-19 booster vaccine every year?
- Why you should consider the flu vaccine
- Where to get your flu jab this year
- Should all children have the flu vaccine?
- Why isn't the chickenpox vaccine available on the NHS?
- Offering HPV jab to boys will help prevent over 100,000 cancers
- Flu vaccine in pregnancy does not lead to health problems in children
- Why do kids need the flu jab?
- Should children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Vaccination myths you need to stop believing
- Why vaccinations are so important
- We ask a GP what to expect after vaccinations
- Can I have routine vaccinations under lockdown?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: when will we have a vaccine?
- Can I have the flu jab if ...?
- Will flu vaccinations be available after Brexit?
- Can the flu jab really give you the flu?
- Do you need to worry about side effects from vaccines?
- Is it safe to have the flu jab when you're pregnant?
- I regret not getting the flu jab
- What COVID-19 vaccines and medications are available around the world?
- Can the COVID vaccine affect the menstrual cycle?
- When will I get my COVID-19 vaccine?
- Does the flu jab make you immune to flu?
- How will the new flu vaccination programme work?
- Where does a fear of vaccines come from?
- Are vaccinations going to change during the pandemic?
- AstraZeneca vaccine: is it safe and does it cause blood clots?
- What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine
- The future of COVID-19 vaccinations
- COVID-19 boosters and pregnancy: Are they safe and should you get them?
- Do you get better COVID-19 immunity from vaccination or infection?
- Do you need the meningitis vaccine?
- How universities promote meningitis vaccinations
- Why have I been offered the shingles vaccine
Viral infections
Viruses cause colds, flu, and more serious illnesses. Learn how they spread, what symptoms to expect, and when to get medical advice.
- What is freshers' flu and how long does it last?
- Do any natural cold remedies work?
- What is HMPV and should we be worried?
- Why are some viruses seasonal?
- Should young adults worry about flu?
- Can you catch a cold in summer?
- Long COVID: what it is and how to cope
- Is it COVID-19 or flu this winter?
- What you need to know about flu
- Why is there still stigma around HPV?
- How to tell the differences between winter viruses in kids
- How do you die from the flu?
- Why do some people get worse colds than others?
- When is the flu most contagious?
- What are the most effective flu prevention methods?
- Is it the flu or just a cold?
- Could a cure for the common cold be on the horizon?
- Will we have a bad flu season this year?
- Should you wear a face mask if you have a cold this winter?
- When to seek medical treatment for flu
- What you need to know about post-viral fatigue
- Do any traditional or herbal remedies work for flu?
- How to manage your flu symptoms at home
- Polio virus found in London sewage: should we be worried?
- How to book your flu jab before winter
- Swine flu in the UK: What are the symptoms of the new strain?
- Mpox - what do we know so far?
- Why measles is on the rise
- Shingles myths you should stop believing
- How to protect yourself from shingles
- What is the difference between hand, foot and mouth disease and chickenpox?