Common Conditions
Those who want to enter the medical profession need to be aware of the most common diseases. Doing so will help them to identify patient ailments as quickly as possible. Once a diagnosis has been made, it is time to come up with a treatment plan.
Chickenpox is highly prevalent. It mainly affects children, but people can become infected at any age. Patients may not need to see a GP as chickenpox can get better by itself. The main symptom is a rash of itchy spots, which eventually develops into a blister formation.
When someone has a blocked nose, sore throat, headache and a high temperature, it is easy to assume they are suffering from something terrible. However, more often than not, the common cold is the cause. It is another condition that does not usually require medical intervention. Rest, plenty of water and sporadic use of over the counter remedies can speed up recovery.
In contrast, diphtheria is more dangerous. While rare in the UK, it is possible for people to catch it when visiting other parts of the world. Vaccination helps to prevent it. If left untreated, diphtheria can lead to fatal results. Symptoms include swollen neck glands, a white coating on the throat and tongue, as well as a fever.
Children with cold-like symptoms, small spots in their mouths and a rash could be suffering from measles. In the past, it was a widespread problem. Luckily, the development of the MMR vaccine keeps kids protected. Measles spreads very quickly and can lead to a plethora of severe complications in the patient.
Doctors are very likely to encounter cases of shingles at some point in their careers. This infection is well known for causing painful rashes. A headache and feeling unwell are also signs of shingles. Rashes may take several days to appear and are usually found on the chest and stomach. They tend to also be on only one side of the body.
It is vital that medical professionals are able to identify meningitis in particular. It infects the brain and spinal cord, leading to potentially life-threatening blood poisoning. The nerves and brain may be left with permanent damage. Tests will need to be run to confirm this infection within the patient.