Ringworm, medically known as tinea corporis, is a common but superficial fungal skin infection that can affect many parts of the body. Despite its name, ringworm isn't caused by a worm but by dermatophytes—a type of fungus. While it is highly contagious, it's not considered a serious condition and is often easily treatable with over-the-counter antifungal medications.

Although ringworm is not a very comfortable and convenient condition, it is rather highly treatable and preventable. With simple precautions such as good hygiene, avoiding shared personal items, and the like, chances of contracting or spreading the infection are greatly reduced.

If you notice signs of ringworm, act promptly. Early treatment not only alleviates symptoms but also minimizes the risk of transmission to others. In most cases, a proactive approach ensures the infection resolves quickly, allowing you to return to your daily activities with confidence.

What is Tinea Corporis?

This skin infection is otherwise known as the term tinea corporis, that breaks down to "tinea," or fungal infection, and "corporis," or body. It usually presents on any of the following body parts: torso, arms, legs, and the neck. The infection might also happen on nails by causing it to become brittle or have discolorations. Moreover, it could be associated with a condition that also affects other areas of the body, including the scalp.

Symptoms of Ringworm

Signs and symptoms of ringworm typically begin 4 to 14 days after exposure to the fungus. Common signs are:

- Ring shaped rash: This is how the condition presents, it has a clear center while the borders are raised scaly.

- Red and scaly or cracked: The infection usually leaves irritated or flaky skin.

- Itching: The condition may cause itchy skin due to the persistent itching occurring in and around the affected area.

- Loss of hair: Infected areas with hair may manifest hair thinning or patchy loss.

These symptoms are mild, but sometimes they do cause discomfort, especially in cases where the condition goes untreated.

Complications and At-Risk Individuals

In most cases, ringworm remains a surface-level skin infection. However, complications can arise in certain groups of people:

- Individuals undergoing chemotherapy, those with HIV, or anyone taking immunosuppressant medications may find it harder to eliminate the infection.

- If the infected skin is excessively scratched or irritated, it may become prone to bacterial infections, requiring antibiotic treatment.

How Is Ringworm Spread?

• Ringworm can easily spread through direct as well as indirect contact. This includes:
• Direct contact with an individual suffering from ringworm or his infected skin. It may also be transferred through use of towels, clothing, hats, or hair brushes that have been exposed to the fungus. Infected animals, especially cats and dogs, can also be carriers of the fungus without showing symptoms.

Preventing Ringworm of the Body

Preventing ringworm begins with limiting your exposure to this fungus. Here are some practical steps:

Avoid sharing personal items: Towels, hats, clothing, and hairbrushes should not be shared with others.

Check your pets: If your pet has bald spots or unusual rashes, take it to a veterinarian to rule out ringworm.

Maintain personal hygiene: Regular bathing, clean clothes, and dry skin are very important in controlling the spread of fungi. Dry areas such as groin, armpits, and between the toes should be emphasized. Avoid scratching the infected area since this worsens the condition and makes the risk of secondary infection high.

Treatment for Ringworms

Ringworm can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, sprays, or powders for most people. Popular active ingredients include clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine. Topical treatments should be applied as directed, even if symptoms improve sooner, usually for 2–4 weeks. In more severe or widespread cases, a doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medications.

For people with weakened immune systems, it is very important to see a healthcare provider to ensure that the infection is treated adequately and does not become chronic.

A little-known virus is spreading steadily across different parts of the world, prompting growing concern among health experts. Often described as “untreatable” because there is no targeted antiviral medicine available, adenovirus is drawing attention due to how tough it is and how quickly it can pass from person to person.

Eric Sachinwalla, medical director of infection prevention and control at Jefferson Health, has cautioned that while most healthy individuals develop only mild illness, people in high-risk groups may face more serious health problems. This raises an important question: just how contagious is this mystery illness that is spreading?

Adenovirus: How Contagious Is It?

Yes, adenovirus is highly contagious and spreads with ease in several ways. It can pass through respiratory droplets released during coughing or sneezing, close physical contact such as hugging or shaking hands, and contact with contaminated surfaces like toys and towels.

It can also spread through fecal matter, particularly during diaper changes, and in some cases through water. According to the CDC, the virus spreads quickly in crowded settings such as schools and daycare centres and can survive for long periods on surfaces, making good hygiene especially important for young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Who Do Adenoviruses Affect Most?

Adenoviruses can infect people of all age groups, but they are most commonly seen in children under the age of five. In babies and young children, the virus often spreads in daycare environments where close contact is common. Children are also more likely to put shared objects in their mouths and may not wash their hands as regularly.

Among adults, adenoviruses tend to spread in crowded living conditions. People staying in dormitories or military housing may have a higher risk of infection. The virus is also known to circulate in hospitals and nursing homes, as per CDC.

Those with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill from an adenovirus infection. This includes people who have undergone organ or stem cell transplants, as well as those living with cancer or HIV/AIDS. Individuals with existing heart or lung conditions may also face a higher risk of severe illness.

Adenovirus: What Are The Symptoms Of An Adenovirus Infection?

The symptoms of an adenovirus infection depend on the part of the body affected. Most commonly, the virus targets the respiratory system. When it infects the airways, it can cause symptoms similar to a cold or the flu. These may include:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Runny nose.
• Sore throat (pharyngitis).
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis).
• Ear infection (otitis media).
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Chest cold (bronchitis).
• Pneumonia.

Adenoviruses can also infect the digestive system. When this happens, diarrhea may occur, along with gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach or intestines and can lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

In rarer cases, adenoviruses can affect the bladder or the nervous system. Infection of the bladder may result in urinary tract infections. When the nervous system is involved, it can lead to serious conditions affecting the brain, including encephalitis and meningitis.

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. It is contagious, which means it passes easily from one person to another. Although influenza viruses can circulate throughout the year, infections are seen more often during the fall and winter months. This time is known as the flu season. As flu cases are rising across many parts of the US and UK, here are a few key points to understand, from the incubation period to how easily the virus spreads.

What Is The Flu (influenza)?

The flu is an infection caused by the influenza virus. It usually leads to symptoms such as body and head aches, sore throat, fever, and breathing-related discomfort, which can sometimes become serious. Flu cases tend to peak during the winter months, when large numbers of people may fall ill at the same time, a situation described as an epidemic, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Flu: What Is The Incubation Period Of The Flu?

The average incubation period of the flu is around 2 days, though it can vary from 1 to 4 days. In simple terms, this means most people begin to notice flu symptoms a few days after the virus enters the body.

When Does The Flu Become Contagious?

After catching the flu virus, a person can start passing it on to others about 1 dayTrusted Source before symptoms appear. Keep in mind that the usual incubation period is about 2 days. So, if someone is exposed to the virus on a Saturday morning, they may already be able to spread it by Sunday evening. By Monday afternoon, flu symptoms are likely to show up. These symptoms can be mild or severe.

Some people may not develop symptoms at all, but they can still spread the virus. The flu is usually most contagious during the first 3 days of illness. After symptoms begin, a person may continue to infect others for another 5 to 7 days. Children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems may remain contagious for a longer time.

Flu Symptoms 2025: Early Symptoms You Need To Take Care Of

Unlike the common cold, which tends to develop slowly, flu symptoms often appear suddenly.

Common symptoms include:

• feeling extremely tired, exhausted, or weak
• headache
• blocked or runny nose
• sore throat
• dry cough
• muscle and body aches
• fever or chills, although not everyone gets these
• vomiting or diarrhoea, which is seen more often in children

Most people start to feel better within a few days to two weeks. However, some individuals may need antiviral medication, particularly those at higher risk of serious complications.

How Does The Flu Spread?

The flu mainly spreads through tiny respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In crowded places, these particles can be inhaled by others, leading to infection. The virus can also spread by touching objects or surfaces that carry the virus, such as door handles or shared personal items. Outside the body, the virus can survive on surfaces for up to one day.

If someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, the flu virus can enter the body and cause infection.

People who are prescribed blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, could unknowingly weaken the effect of their medication by eating a widely consumed and otherwise healthy vegetable, a doctor has warned.

What Are Anticoagulants?

Anticoagulants are routinely given to reduce the risk of blood clots and are often prescribed to those who face a higher chance of such complications. This group also includes people at increased risk of heart attacks or strokes. These medicines, which include rivaroxaban, apixaban and warfarin, work by interrupting the clotting process and play a key role in preventing serious conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

Warfarin: Why This Common Vegetable Can Be A Problem

While anticoagulants are effective and often lifesaving, patients are being advised that a familiar garden vegetable could interfere with how well these drugs work. The warning comes from Dr Chris Steele, who appeared on ITV’s This Morning to explain how certain foods can interact negatively with different medications.

As part of his advice, he said, as per Express, “Leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which helps blood to clot. Warfarin works by blocking vitamin K production, so if you suddenly increase how many greens you eat, it can affect how the medicine works.”

He added: “Other foods that contain a lot of vitamin K include green vegetables, egg yolks, chickpeas and lentils. These foods don’t need to be removed from the diet, but it is important to keep your intake steady and consistent. You should also avoid drinking large amounts of cranberry juice or using cranberry products while on anticoagulants, as they can alter the effect of warfarin. Garlic and ginger should be limited too, as they can raise the risk of bleeding.”

Warfarin: Other Food And Drug Interactions To Watch For

Dr Chris also highlighted that many other medicines can react in unexpected ways when taken alongside certain foods and drinks. For example, he noted that some antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, can react poorly with milk.

He explained: “Calcium can reduce how well some antibiotics work, so these medicines should not be taken at the same time as foods high in calcium, such as milk, yoghurt or cheese. Calcium supplements should also be avoided for a few hours before and after taking these antibiotics.

“You should not drink milk when taking certain antibiotics, including tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, which are quinolone antibiotics, or some osteoporosis drugs like alendronate, also known as Fosamax.”

He further advised avoiding the following combinations with specific medicines:

• Grapefruit if you are taking statins for high blood pressure
• Black liquorice if you are on certain heart medicines such as digoxin
• Bananas if you take some ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure
• Coffee if you use bronchodilators for asthma
• Smoked salmon and salami if you are prescribed antidepressants
• Limes if you are taking cough medicine

Dr Chris stressed: “Always speak to your doctor about any precautions you should follow when starting a new medication. You may need to avoid certain foods, make changes to your lifestyle, or take other steps to prevent unwanted side effects.”