- Health topics
- Infections
Infections
Chest and lung infections
Unless you live in a bubble, infections are part of daily life and the occasional fever or flu is something you'll get over without too much trouble. However, they're very much at the low end of the infection scale. There are a host of headline-making conditions out there such as sepsis or tuberculosis that could result in a prolonged stay in hospital.
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.
In this topic:Chest and lung infectionsCOVID-19
ENT infections
Ear, nose, and throat infections are common and usually mild. Learn what causes them, how to treat them, and when they might need medical attention.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections can affect skin, nails, and lungs. Learn about common types, symptoms, and simple treatments that help clear them up.
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.
Medicines for infections
Antibiotics and antifungals are used to treat infections. Learn when these medications are needed and how to take them safely and effectively.
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.
- Abscess
- Blepharitis
- Eye infection (herpes simplex)
- Germs
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Infective conjunctivitis
- Leptospirosis and Weil's disease
- Listeria
- Lyme disease
- Malaria
- Malaria prevention
- MRSA
- Necrotising fasciitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Pilonidal sinus
- Rheumatic fever
- Scarlet fever
- Schistosomiasis
- Septic arthritis
- Strep A
- Stye
Sexually transmitted infections
STIs can be common and often show few symptoms. Learn how to protect yourself, get tested, and access discreet, effective treatment.
Skin infections
From boils to impetigo, skin infections are uncomfortable but treatable. Discover what causes them and how you can clear them up safely.
- Athlete's foot
- Bedbugs
- Boils, carbuncles and furunculosis
- Cat scratch disease
- Cellulitis
- Chickenpox in adults and teenagers
- Chickenpox in children
- Eczema herpeticum
- Fungal groin infection
- Hand, foot and mouth disease
- Impetigo
- Infected wounds
- Measles
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Mpox virus
- Pityriasis versicolor
- Ringworm
- Roseola
- Scabies
- Shingles
- Slapped cheek syndrome
- Viral rashes
- Viral skin infections
- Warts and verrucas
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.
- 6-in-1 vaccine
- BCG immunisation
- Cholera vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Immunisation
- Immunisation for flu
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine for meningitis
- MMR vaccination
- Pneumococcal immunisation
- Polio and polio vaccine
- Rabies and rabies vaccine
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination
- Tetanus and the tetanus vaccine
- Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine
- Travel vaccinations
- Typhoid vaccine
- Yellow fever 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.
- Bornholm disease
- Bronchiolitis
- Chikungunya fever
- Cold sores
- Common cold
- Coughs and colds in children
- Croup
- Dengue
- Ebola
- Encephalitis
- Flu
- Glandular fever
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- HIV and AIDs
- Laryngitis
- Mumps
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Primary cold sore infection
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Rubella
- SARS and MERS virus
- Slapped cheek syndrome
- Zika virus