Infections & Fever

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, first identified in late 2019. India saw major waves of infection during 2020 and 2021; the illness is now endemic, circulating year-round with periodic rises.

Skin infections are very common in India, especially during hot and humid weather. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Dengue is a viral illness spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes — which breed in clean, standing water and bite mostly in the daytime. India has a significant dengue burden, with outbreaks every year during and after the monsoon (roughly July to November).

Vaccines train the immune system to recognise and fight specific infections without making you ill. They are among the most important tools in medicine — childhood vaccines alone prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or (less often) fungi.

Fungal infections are caused by fungi — microscopic organisms that include yeasts and moulds. Most fungal infections affect the skin, hair, or nails, and are mild but annoying.

Flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It spreads through droplets from coughs and sneezes.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can affect any organ — spine (Pott's disease), abdomen, brain, lymph nodes, joints, or almost any tissue.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that spreads through sexual contact. Most HPV infections clear on their own without causing any problem.

Itching (pruritus) is a sensation that makes you want to scratch. It's usually a symptom of something else — a skin condition, an allergy, an infection, or rarely a disease of internal organs.

Scabies is a very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite that burrows into the top layer of skin. It's common worldwide and is spread by close skin-to-skin contact.

The common cold is a mild viral infection of the nose and throat. It's caused by many different viruses, most often rhinoviruses.