Health conditions and diseases starting with P. Explore reliable details on symptoms, causes, and treatments to protect your well-being.
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare, systemic necrotizing vasculitis that primarily affects medium-sized muscular arteries. It results in inflammation and damage to vessel walls, leading to aneurysm formation, thrombosis, ischemia, and organ dysfunction. Unlike other vasculitides, PAN does not involve arterioles, capillaries, or venules, and typically spares the lungs. Etiology and Pathogenesis of PAN Underlying
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can lead to irreversible paralysis or death. Caused by the poliovirus, the disease has been significantly curtailed through widespread immunization. Poliomyelitis vaccination remains the cornerstone of global polio eradication strategies endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Understanding
Poisoning due to scorpion venom, also known as scorpion envenomation, represents a significant medical emergency in tropical and subtropical regions. Among the 1,500+ species of scorpions worldwide, approximately 30 are considered dangerous to humans. Venomous scorpion stings can cause systemic toxicity, particularly in children and immunocompromised individuals, necessitating rapid identification and intervention. Composition and Pathophysiology
Poisoning Due to Nerve Agent: Nerve agent poisoning refers to the toxic effects caused by a group of highly lethal chemical compounds designed to disrupt the nervous system. These substances, including sarin, VX, soman, and tabun, are classified as organophosphorus compounds and are often deployed as chemical warfare agents. Exposure, even in minuscule quantities, can
Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive coccus, is a common cause of both community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia. It is known for its aggressive nature, frequent complications, and a high incidence of antimicrobial resistance. Particularly concerning are infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which necessitate urgent, targeted therapy. Pneumonia due to S. aureus often affects vulnerable individuals
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, encapsulated bacillus commonly associated with severe hospital-acquired and community-acquired pneumonia. It is notorious for causing aggressive lung infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and is increasingly linked to multidrug resistance. This pathogen is capable of producing life-threatening necrotizing pneumonia, often complicated by bacteremia and lung abscesses. Pathogenesis and Transmission of Klebsiella
Pneumonia causes: Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. These air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. It can range in severity from mild to severe and affects people of all ages, with higher
Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia Prevention: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) poses a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals, including patients with HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, hematologic malignancies, and autoimmune disorders requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Preventing this opportunistic fungal infection is essential to reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden. Preventive strategies center on risk identification, targeted chemoprophylaxis, and continuous monitoring of
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP), formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), is a life-threatening opportunistic infection caused by the atypical fungal organism Pneumocystis jirovecii. It predominantly affects immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS, malignancies, organ transplants, or those on immunosuppressive therapy. PJP is one of the most common AIDS-defining illnesses and remains a critical cause
Pneumococcus endocarditis, a rare yet life-threatening form of infective endocarditis, is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Despite the organism’s well-known role in pneumonia and meningitis, its involvement in endocardial infections represents a particularly aggressive and fulminant clinical entity. Historically more common before the antibiotic era, pneumococcal endocarditis now primarily affects high-risk individuals and remains a critical