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.
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
- 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.
- Why have I been offered the shingles 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
- Why you should consider the flu vaccine
- Where to get your flu jab this year
- Flu vaccine in pregnancy does not lead to health problems in children
- Vaccination myths you need to stop believing
- Why vaccinations are so important
- We ask a GP what to expect after vaccinations
- 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
- 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?
- Do you need the meningitis vaccine?
- How universities promote meningitis vaccinations
Viral infections
Viruses cause colds, flu, and more serious illnesses. Learn how they spread, what symptoms to expect, and when to get medical advice.
- Why measles is on the rise
- How to protect yourself from shingles
- Shingles myths you should stop believing
- 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?
- 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?
- What is the difference between hand, foot and mouth disease and chickenpox?