Infectious Diseases Starting with "S"

 SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a contagious viral disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-Associated Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) causing dry cough and shortness of breath.

Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows into the skin to lay eggs causing severe itching, especially at night.

 Scarlet Fever is an acute contagious bacterial infection common in children, caused by streptococcus. Pyogenes Group A Streptococci), is characterized by severe sore throat, fever, bright red rash (scarlet) on the neck and upper trunk that spreads rapidly, and pale tongue coated with red spots (strawberry tongue).

Serum is the clear yellow liquid component of clotted blood. The absence of fibrinogen or the other clotting factors distinguishes serum from plasma. It consists of electrolytes and proteins like antibodies which are useful in many diagnostic processes.

A skin prick test is done to detect allergy sensitivity or infection. Small amounts of purified allergen extracts are pricked into the skin of the arm or upper back and observed for signs of an allergic reaction. A positive reaction is indicated when the pricked skin becomes red and itchy.

A spinal tap or lumbar puncture is a procedure performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing, particularly for infections in the central nervous system, spinal cord tumors, and cancer in the CNS. The spinal tap is collected from the spinal canal using a special needle.

Spongiform encephalopathy, also called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, is a rare and fatal degenerative brain disease caused by prions. This infection is characterized by progressive mental deterioration, dementia, encephalopathy, and coma.

Staphylococci are spherical Gram-positive bacteria that occur in grapelike clusters. They are the normal flora of the skin and upper respiratory tract. The pathogenic species can cause illness through direct infections or through the toxins they produce.

A stem cell is a basic cell in the body with the ability to divide through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types of more than 200.

Strep throat is an infection of the throat caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria affecting the mucus lining of the pharynx, strep throat can develop into pneumatic fever or other serious conditions if left untreated.

Streptococci are spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in pairs or chains, including many erythrocytolytic, and pathogenic species streptococci constitute part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, intestine, and upper respiratory tract. Pathogenic species cause infections like strep throat, erysipelas, and scarlet fever.

The structure is an abnormal narrowing of passage or duct in the body (e.g., urethra, esophagus, ureter) due to the inflammation, growth of tumors, and scarring of pressure from the surrounding organs.

Swine Flu, or H1N1 Flu, is a respiratory illness caused by the H1N1 Flu virus, a strain of the Influenza virus that usually affects pigs, but may also affect humans. The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu -- fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.

Syphilis is a chronic venereal or sexually transmitted disease caused by spirochaete treponema pallidum. The disease is either congenital or acquired through sexual contact or contaminated needles and progresses through three stages -- local formation of chancres, ulcerous skin eruptions, and systemic infection leading to general paresis.