Infectious Disease

Besides investigating complex health issues requiring specialist diagnosis, treating lifestyle diseases, and injuries, Dr Zaraina Solomons also diagnoses and treats infectious diseases. Infectious diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through contact and bodily fluids, from the environment, from animal contact, or through insect bites.

Common infectious diseases

  • Influenza, also known as the flu. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks and are not treated with medicine and rest, flu can become bronchitis and/or pneumonia.
  • Herpes simplex virus – Herpes spreads easily and is extremely common. Herpes type 1 is oral herpes, presenting as fever blisters on the mouth and lips. Herpes type 2 is genital herpes. Though incurable, medicine can be prescribed to shorten outbreaks and reduce the chances of infecting your partner. Pregnant mothers should be aware that genital herpes can be passed on to their baby during natural childbirth.
  • Hepatitis describes an inflammatory condition of the liver. Commonly caused by a viral infection, but other possible causes include autoimmune hepatitis and the use of certain medications, drugs, and alcohol.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.
  • HIV/AIDS - HIV is a virus that interferes with the body's ability to fight infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
  • Human papillomavirus infection – HPV is a viral infection that presents with warts. There are many varieties of HPV, more than 40 of which are transmitted through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat. HPV can be dangerous if it is not diagnosed and treated, because certain strains can cause cancer to develop. There are vaccines available, and it is important especially for women to get tested.
  • Listeriosis is caused by listeria bacteria that can get into the body through food contamination. It mostly affects pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
  • Malaria – Malaria is a disease caused by the plasmodium parasite that is spread by mosquito bites. Symptoms take a few weeks to present, but when they do the person will feel very ill with chills, fever and sweating, and they will require medical attention.
  • Meningitis is the name given to an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The swelling from meningitis can cause symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.
  • Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chicken pox. It involves the infection of an individual nerve and the skin surface it is supplies, which results in a painful, blistery rash.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that is caused by bacteria and mainly affects the lungs.