Over the past few years, headlines have raised alarm bells, “Victorian diseases are making a comeback.” Measles outbreaks, scarlet fever warnings, cases of tuberculosis cropping up in urban centers all evoke a troubling echo of a time most of us believed we’d left behind but is the return of these so-called “Victorian” diseases truly a resurgence or have they simply never left us?

Many of these illnesses never disappeared entirely. Diseases like TB, measles, typhoid, and scarlet fever were dramatically reduced in prevalence due to clean water, public sanitation, improved nutrition, antibiotics, and widespread vaccination programs—but they weren’t eradicated.

In fact, public health officials have long acknowledged that these infections have remained in the background, controlled but not conquered. It is only through the combined strength of science-driven public health policy, social infrastructure, and community awareness that we’ve been able to keep them from becoming the epidemics they once were.

Vaccine hesitancy, global travel, growing antibiotic resistance, poverty, urban overcrowding, and weakened health systems in the wake of COVID-19. Measles outbreaks, for example, have surged in communities where childhood immunization rates have dropped. Tuberculosis, often associated with 19th-century slums, remains a global health threat, especially among vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Lastly, climate change and increased human-animal interaction have sort off reshaped the infectious disease landscape, allowing tick-borne and vector-borne illnesses once considered rare to move into new regions and populations.

Diseases That Have Recently Become More Prevalent

Here is a list of diseases and what you need to know about them according to the UK Health Security Agency health blog.

Typhoid

Typhoid was extremely common in the Victorian era, even affecting royalty, and it remains a problem in areas with poor sanitation globally. Caused by bacteria spread through contaminated food or water, it's estimated that 1 in 5 people with untreated typhoid worldwide die. In the UK, improved access to clean water, wholesome food, and good hygiene have drastically reduced its spread, with around 500 cases reported annually, mostly linked to international travel. It's now rarely fatal in the UK, often preventable by vaccine for travelers, and treatable with antibiotics.

Scarlet Fever

In 2018, England and Wales saw over 30,000 cases of scarlet fever, the highest since 1960, though numbers had declined significantly over the previous century due to better living conditions and antibiotics. This highly contagious childhood illness is usually mild and easily treated with antibiotics, which also reduces the risk of complications and spread. While a 1914 epidemic recorded 165,000 cases and 2,800 deaths, in 2014, fewer than 5% of patients were hospitalized, with no deaths, highlighting its much less severe consequences today. Investigations into recent case increases are ongoing.

Tuberculosis (TB)

At the start of the 19th century, TB killed at least 1 in seven people in England. Improvements like milk pasteurization (which significantly reduced TB from contaminated milk) combined with faster diagnoses and effective antibiotics became central to TB control. Today, less than 6% of those with TB in the UK die from it, with fewer than 4,672 cases reported in 2018—the lowest numbers ever. This decline is a major public health success. However, TB remains the top infectious killer globally, especially in poorer communities, emphasizing the need for continued efforts.

Cholera

Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness, can cause fatal dehydration within hours. England's last major outbreaks between 1832 and 1866 resulted in thousands of deaths. It is now very rare in the UK, with cases typically linked to international travel. A key public health breakthrough in the Victorian era was identifying cholera as waterborne, leading to major projects that provided clean water and sewage systems. While still a global concern with ongoing outbreaks in other parts of the world, cholera is easily avoided when traveling by using boiled or bottled water and practicing good hand hygiene.

Whooping Cough

Before routine immunization in the 1950s, whooping cough affected tens of thousands. Vaccination drastically reduced cases, though the infection hasn't disappeared and can peak every 3-4 years. Despite vaccine success, nearly 10,000 cases were confirmed in 2012, with increases also seen in other countries. These rises may be due to factors like better testing and changes in vaccine type. A vaccine program for pregnant women, introduced in response to the 2012 outbreak, has been highly effective in protecting babies until they receive their own vaccinations, making it crucial for expectant mothers to get vaccinated.

Rickets

Rickets, a deficiency disease caused by a lack of calcium or vitamin D, was widespread in poorer areas of Great Britain during the Victorian era. It wasn't until the early 1900s that researchers understood the critical role of sunlight and vitamin D in bone development. While most people get enough vitamin D from sunshine and diet in warmer months, supplements are recommended during autumn and winter, especially for those with limited sun exposure, darker skin, or for babies.

Why Are Some Age-Old Diseases Making A Comeback?

According to 2021 study published in the Lancet journal, few of the many reasons why diseases are reappearing is because sometimes, Sometimes, the germs themselves change, becoming easier to spread or more harmful. For instance, scarlet fever, once thought almost gone, has seen a global rise, including a mysterious spike in England. This might be because the bacteria causing it picked up new genes from viruses, creating "supercharged" versions that spread more easily. Also, germs are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, which means treatments that used to work are no longer as effective, allowing some diseases to re-emerge.

Is COVID-19 A Catalyst?

The study points out that human behavior is a major factor. More people living in crowded conditions and moving around (like through migration) can create new opportunities for diseases to spread. When public health systems and vaccination efforts break down, often due to conflicts, wars, or even global pandemics like COVID-19, diseases like measles can surge.

Changes to the environment caused by human activity can also upset the balance between people, animals, and germs, allowing old diseases to reappear or new ones to emerge. For example, some research suggests that climate change forced bats to move, potentially leading to new interactions between bats and viruses, and even affecting how viruses evolve and spread to other animals, like the virus that causes COVID-19.

The studies and historical significance of these diseases show that these diseases never really left. The only differences is that, now these diseases are not as fatal. These illnesses are largely preventable through good hygiene, vaccination, or proper nutrition. It remains crucial for scientists and healthcare professionals to continue investigating, managing, and informing the public about preventing diseases that could seriously affect health and well-being.

Rather than calling it a ‘comeback’, experts argue we’re witnessing a failure in vigilance. These diseases were never gone; they were simply held at bay and prevented and with weakened health safeguards or lapses in vaccination, they are ready to exploit the cracks.

Infertility impacts millions across the globe, touching both men and women alike. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global population, roughly one in six people, experience fertility challenges. This condition can significantly reduce or even prevent natural conception.

Yet, despite its prevalence, infertility remains clouded by myths and misconceptions, many of which unfairly place the blame solely on women. Seeking to debunk these long-held beliefs, Dr. Holly Miller, an American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, took to Instagram to share three important truths every woman should know about fertility.

3 Truths About Fertility Women Should Know

With the help of modern medicine and medical interventions like IVF, fertility treatment can help people boost their chances of reproducing.

Infertility Isn't Just a Woman's Issue

It’s important to understand that infertility affects both partners — it’s not solely a woman’s issue. Blaming only the woman is both unfair and inaccurate. In fact, experts find that the causes of infertility are almost evenly split between men and women.

Roughly one-third of infertility cases are linked to the woman, another third to the man, and the remaining third result from issues affecting both partners — or from causes that doctors are unable to clearly identify.

To identify the cause of infertility, both partners should undergo testing simultaneously. For men, a semen analysis — a quick and straightforward test — is often the easiest and most informative first step.

The "Wait One Year" Rule Changes with Age

Most couples automatically try to conceive for a full 12 months before they think about seeing a fertility doctor. However, the doctor emphasizes that the woman's age is the single most important factor that affects the chances of successful treatment.

If you are under 35 years old: You can safely try for a full 12 months of regular, unprotected sex before seeking a specialist.

If you are 35 or older: You should contact a specialist after only 6 months of trying without success.

If you are 40 or older: You need to see a specialist right away—as quickly as you possibly can.

The doctor explains that after age 35, the woman's egg supply starts to decline more quickly. Time is essential, so couples should strongly ask their doctors for an early referral.

"Unexplained Infertility" Often Means "Undiagnosed Problem"

When a couple is diagnosed with "unexplained infertility," which happens in about 10% to 20% of cases, it means the basic first tests did not find a clear reason. This can be upsetting, but it does not mean you can never have children. In the doctor's experience, the term "unexplained" often means there are hidden problems, such as:

• Small issues with the male partner's sperm that were missed by the basic tests.
• A hidden condition called Endometriosis, which can only be confirmed by a surgical procedure.
• Not having sexual intercourse at the best time or not often enough.

In today's corporate world, desk jobs have become the order of the day and so are the health problems associated with them. Endless typing, long hours of sitting, and poor posture are silently taking their toll on young professionals who spend most of their day glued to screens. Many don't realize that their daily work habits could trigger unexpected medical conditions.

Such a growing concern was once highlighted by Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who recently shared a case on X. He wrote about one such case of Riya (name changed), a 25-year-old software engineer who developed a sharp, burning pain in her elbow-a pain which began as a minor ache while typing and gradually became so severe that even lifting a teacup felt unbearable.

What was the cause of the sharp elbow pain that Riya experienced?

Riya tried everything she could think of: Rest, pain relief balms, painkillers, even switching hands while using her computer, but the pain refused to fade. When she finally decided to visit the doctor, her symptoms immediately pointed to something unexpected: Tennis elbow. The diagnosis came as a surprise, considering she had never even held a tennis racket. On examination, Dr Sudhir Kumar found the tell-tale signs of the condition, medically known as lateral epicondylitis — tenderness along the outer elbow and pain when she tried to extend her wrist. He explained that the culprit wasn’t a sport, but repetitive strain from long hours at the computer — a problem increasingly common among desk workers.

What is Tennis Elbow?

The Mayo Clinic describes tennis elbow, medically termed lateral epicondylitis, as a painful condition resulting from the overuse of muscles and tendons in the forearm. It develops where these tissues are repeatedly strained by similar wrist and arm movements, leading to tiny tears and inflammation near the elbow.

The name is misleading, and you don't have to be an athlete to get tennis elbow. As a matter of fact, most people who develop it never have used a racket. It's common for the condition to strike people in jobs that require repetitive motions: plumbers, carpenters, painters, butchers, and yes, office workers who spend hours typing or using a mouse.

The pain generally arises on the outside of the elbow, precisely at that bony prominence to which the muscles of the forearm attach. For some, the discomfort may extend into the forearm or even the wrist, making most activities quite arduous.

How Can Tennis Elbow Be Treated?

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Dr Sudhir Kumar focused on addressing the underlying cause — repetitive stress and poor workstation ergonomics. The holistic treatment for Riya included the following:

• Avoided repetitive activities that triggered her pain.
• Adjusting the computer setup and improving posture.
• Establish a physiotherapy regimen to stretch, strengthen, and gradually build muscle endurance.
• A short course of anti-inflammatory medication

Employing a counterforce brace-a tennis elbow strap-to reduce strain in daily activities. By her six-week follow-up, Riya’s pain had completely resolved. Her grip strength was back, and she could type, lift, and exercise without discomfort. Three months later, she was symptom-free — and far more aware of how small ergonomic changes can make a big difference.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, however, a recent survey showed that most people don’t know this vital fact about prostate cancer symptoms.

Prostate cancer is a serious illness in the US, affecting over 300,000 men each year and causing more than 35,000 deaths, according American Cancer Society. This makes it the second-most deadly cancer for men. If doctors detect the disease early, it is treatable. However, patients usually don't notice any signs of the disease in its beginning stages. Due to this lack of symptoms, checking for the disease is extremely important.

A recent survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, commissioned by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, aimed to gauge public knowledge of the disease. The findings highlight a critical need for better education.

What Do Americans Know About Early-Stage Prostate Cancer?

The results showed that most people, 80% of those surveyed, are unaware that early prostate cancer usually has no physical symptoms. One health specialist noted that it's crucial for everyone to understand that this cancer causes no symptoms until it has become advanced. The survey also revealed other gaps in knowledge:

• More than half of the people surveyed (59%) did not know that changes in sexual function could be a sign of prostate cancer.
• The survey noticed some differences across groups. For example, one minority group was better at identifying less common signs like tiredness and weight loss.
• However, that same minority group was less likely than others to correctly identify that the cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stage.

What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Prostate Cancer?

The fact that prostate cancer often begins without symptoms is the main reason doctors worry.

Lack of Symptoms

In its early phase, the cancer is small and contained within the prostate gland. It doesn't push on or block any other body parts, so it doesn't cause pain or discomfort. Because the cancer is deep inside the body, it's hard to tell if someone has it without special tests.

Provider Worry

Because men feel fine, they may wrongly believe they aren't at risk. This feeling of being safe often makes men hesitant to get screened. Since there are no symptoms to look for, screening tests, usually a simple blood test or a physical exam, are the best way to find the cancer early.

What Are Some Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Even though most men with early prostate cancer feel completely normal, there are certain signs that might appear if the disease is more advanced. These symptoms include:

• Having trouble starting to urinate.
• Having a urine flow that is weak or stops and starts.
• Needing to urinate often, especially during the night.
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder.
• Feeling pain or a burning sensation while urinating.
• Noticing blood in the urine or semen.
• Feeling pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away.
• Experiencing pain during ejaculation.

When Should You Get Screened For Prostate Cancer?

According to American Cancer Society, health organizations advise men to talk with their doctors about getting checked for prostate cancer starting at certain ages, depending on their personal risk.

Average Risk: Age 50

Men who have no special risk factors.

High Risk: Age 45

Men who are African American or who have a father or brother who was diagnosed before age 65.

Highest Risk: Age 40

Men who have more than one close relative (father or brother) diagnosed at an early age. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for screening. Men should always speak to their doctor about their own risk and discuss the pros and cons of testing. Since there are no early warning signs, talking to a doctor about screening is described as "critical" and a simple process that could potentially save a man's life.