Otitis Media

A Toxoplasma gondii tissue cyst. (Image credit: CDC) (opens in new tab) Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled protozoan parasite that invades the cells of a variety of host organisms, including humans, and causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis. T. gondii is sometimes nicknamed the "mind-control parasite" because toxoplasmosis can cause a range of neurological and behavioural changes in infected animals, although most human infections have no clear symptoms. The pathogen is one of the most common infectious parasites in the world and could lay dormant in up to half of the world's population, as well as almost any warm-blooded animal species. But there is still much we don't know about this extremely weird parasite.    From its unusual affinity for cats to its ties to schizophrenia, here are 10 surprising facts about T. gondii . There are many ways you can be infected with T. gondii Washing your hands properly after gardening and cleanin...

At a Glance A probiotic reduced the amount of Staphylococcus aureus , or "staph," bacteria in the human gut and nose without harming beneficial gut microbes. The results suggest a way to prevent dangerous S. aureus infections without antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become a major public health threat. The deadliest such pathogen in the United States is Staphylococcus aureus . Serious and even fatal infections occur when the bacteria get into the blood, lungs, bone, or lower layers of the skin. But S. aureus can also live in the nose, on the skin surface, and in the gut without causing any harm. Many S. aureus infections begin as this symptom-free colonization, which may occur in a quarter to a third of the population. Decolonization—eliminating the symptom-free bacteria—could prevent harmful S. aureus infections. Previous decolonization strategies have used topical antibiotics or antiseptics to get rid of S. aureus from the nose...

Dear Mayo Clinic: My 4-year-old daughter already has had three ear infections this winter. When she isn't feeling well, our entire family is miserable. The pediatrician says she may continue to get more infections and it is just her body. Why do some kids get ear infections so easily? And is there anything I can do to prevent the infections and help her feel better faster? Answer: Our ears — home to the smallest bones in the body — are amazing organs. They help us hear and experience the world. They also help maintain balance. They are self-cleaning, and the outer part of the ear never stops growing. Yet, as your family has discovered, ear infections can cause pain and discomfort. Infections can occur in the middle ear, in the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Middle ear infections, which are the most common ear infections, are caused by a bacterium or virus that infects fluid that builds up in the middle ear. Ear infectio...

For the past few weeks, my daily existence has been scored by the melodies of late winter: the drip of melting ice, the soft rustling of freshly sprouted leaves—and, of course, the nonstop racket of sneezes and coughs. The lobby of my apartment building is alive with the sounds of sniffles and throats being cleared. Every time I walk down the street, I'm treated to the sight of watery eyes and red noses. Even my work Slack is rife with illness emoji, and the telltale pings of miserable colleagues asking each other why they feel like absolute garbage . "It's not COVID," they say. "I tested, like, a million times." Something else, they insist, is making them feel like a stuffed and cooked goose. That something else might be the once-overlooked common cold. After three years of largely being punted out of the limelight, a glut of airway pathogens—among them, adenovirus, RSV, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, common-cold coronaviruses, and rhinoviruses galore—are...

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An outer ear infection, also known as otitis externa, refers to an infection in the ear canal, which connects your outer ear to your middle ear. The canal also carries sound from outside your body to your eardrum. An outer ear infection is the most common cause of ear pain, and about one in 10 adults will get an outer ear infection at some point in their lives. Outer ear infections are usually caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by fungi like yeast and viruses. Outer ear infections are often called "swimmer's ear" because germs can easily get into the ear canal while you're swimming. Sometimes allergic reactions can lead to outer ear infections. This type of infection is generally mild and clears up in a few days or weeks. However, in rare cases, it can spread to nearby tissues. AndreyPopov / Getty Images Symptoms An outer ear infection comes with inflammation, tenderness, and ear pain. Symptoms can start ...

Here's our weekly round-up of what illnesses are spreading the most in Metro Detroit communities, according to our local doctors and hospitals. Local doctors share their notes on What's Going Around: Wayne County: Strep throat, respiratory viruses, stomach viruses, colds, COVID, pink eye Dr. Jayna Gardner-Gray -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Hospital Detroit "We have been seeing a lot of environmental exposure from frost nip to frost bite. A lot of times it goes completely unnoticed by the patients because even though it is cold it's not as cold as we are used to, so people are spending longer periods of time outdoors." Dr. Jason Veider -- Emergency Department, Henry Ford Medical Center Plymouth and Henry Ford Medical Center Fairlane "A small spike in COVID. Less than one percent of COVID cases are being hospitalized now. We are seeing some slip and falls due to slippery roads/sidewalks." Dr. Jennifer Stephens-Hoyer -- Emergency Department, Henry For...

The skin on the penis, like any other skin on the body, can get dry at times. But unlike rough hands of scaly legs, dry skin on this sensitive spot can be especially uncomfortable, unsightly, and a source of insecurity. There are many reasons why sudden dryness and flakiness might overtake your genitals, but it's generally not something to be overly worried about, says Anika Ackerman, M.D., a urologist and aesthetic medicine expert at Garden State Urology in Morris County. Luckily, you can take care of dry skin on your penis by yourself with home remedies and small tweaks to your hygiene routine. Here's how. What Causes Dry Skin On The Penis? There are a number of potential causes of dry skin on the penis — everything from how you wash your body to an infection can trigger it. This includes: Harsh soaps. The use of harsh soaps or detergents on your penis can strip the skin of its natural oils, causing it to become irritated and dry. This may be the root of your problem if you ...