The word ‘rhinitis’ means inflammation of the nose and if this is caused by an allergy, it’s known as ‘allergic rhinitis’. Allergic rhinitis, also sometimes known as hay fever, is an allergy to pollen and can occur all year round. Typically, grass or tree pollen is the cause, triggering itchy eyes, nose and throat plus sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes. These symptoms occur in what’s known as hay fever season, which is typically from the end of March to July, but varies depending on where you are in the country and whether your allergy is to grass pollen that usually causes summer hay fever or tree pollen that affects people more in the spring. House dust mite and pet allergy can trigger allergic rhinitis at any time of the year. Allergic rhinitis is very common, with around 1 in 5 people in the UK suffering with it at some point in their life. However, it most commonly starts as a child or teenager. It can run in families and you’re more likely to have allergic rhinitis if you also suffer from asthma or eczema. Allergic rhinitis is not contagious (you can’t catch it from someone else).

Zika virus disease is an infection that is spread by mosquitoes. Most people who are bitten and catch Zika virus suffer no symptoms at all. Any symptoms are usually mild and last for around a week. These are similar to most viral infections: muscle aches, joint aches, headaches, fever, rash, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis). Zika virus becomes important only in its threat of danger to pregnant women. An unborn baby can suffer from birth defects, such as having a smaller than normal head size (microcephaly). Zika does not exist in the UK, but is present in many hot countries. You catch it after a bite from the Aedes mosquito, which may carry the virus. The same mosquitoes can also carry dengue and yellow fever, two serious tropical diseases, so there are lots of reasons to take steps to prevent being bitten. Aedes mosquitoes are active during the daytime, with bites most likely in the early morning or afternoon and evening. It’s worth being well-informed about the risks wherever you are travelling to. Up-to-date Zika virus maps can be found online, or your doctor's practice nurse or travel health clinic can provide further information. Zika virus is contagious and can be passed on from an infected individual via sex, including vaginal, anal and oral.

Varicose veins are widened and twisted veins that usually develop in the legs. The leg veins contain regular one-way valves that help the blood return to the heart against gravity. If these valves leak, then the increased pressure prevents the blood from draining properly, and varicose veins develop. These come on with advancing age and are often no great inconvenience apart from being unsightly.

Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes diarrhoea. It mostly affects the under-5s and it's usually mild enough to just be treated at home. This is different to toddler's diarrhoea. Early symptoms include a temperature, vomiting and then 3 to 7 days of watery diarrhoea. They may also get abdominal pain and cramps. It takes about 2 days after being exposed to the virus for symptoms to start. Even after the other symptoms have resolved, loose stool can last for up to 10 days, although hopefully improving in that time.  It's so common that most children in the UK have met it by 5 years old. Older children and adults can also catch rotavirus, but in adults, it's usually a milder illness. They should still be cautious about not infecting others, though, as anyone can catch the infection and experience diarrhoea.

Lyme disease is a condition caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi , which is spread by an insect called a tick. (It is called Lyme disease after the American town where it was first described). The ticks bite an infected animal and then bite us. An infected tick often leaves a classic mark of Lyme disease: a distinctive circular rash, described as a bullseye on a dartboard. This rash may take up to a month to develop, and some don't get it at all. Anyone affected might feel unwell with a fever, muscle aches, headaches and lethargy. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to cause multiple symptoms in many different parts of the body that last weeks or months after the initial infection. There are three stages of Lyme disease: Early local skin reaction – this happens 3 to 36 days after being bitten by an infected tick and causes the classical bullseye rash and – in about 1 in 3 cases – a flu-like illness for a few days. Early disseminated disease, which can happen weeks or months afterwards. This includes joint problems such as pain and swelling (often in the knee), nerve inflammation, palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. Late disease. This can happen years later with many possible symptoms, including persisting joint problems, confusion, mood changes and memory problems, weakness and tiredness.

Insect bites are common, especially during warmer months when outdoor activities increase. While most insect bites are harmless and cause only minor irritation, some can lead to infections if not properly cared for. An insect bite becomes infected when bacteria enter the wound, leading to symptoms beyond the usual itching and redness. Recognising an infected insect bite early is crucial to prevent more severe complications. If left untreated, an infection can spread to surrounding tissues or even enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to more severe health issues. Proper care and timely treatment can significantly affect recovery and overall well-being. This article will delve into the causes of infected insect bites, identify the symptoms that signal an infection, and discuss effective treatment options. By understanding these essential aspects, you can take the necessary steps to prevent complications and ensure that an insect bite remains a minor inconvenience rather than a significant health concern.

Hives are also known as urticaria or nettle rash. Red raised circular marks appear called weals, which resemble a dartboard bullseye. These are usually intensely itchy, and may also sting or burn. Weals appear anywhere on the body within minutes to hours of meeting an allergen or irritant. Antihistamine tablets or cream can dampen down the reaction, and cooling agents and moisturisers can calm the itch. The weals should disappear within 24 hours, although redness or a form of bruising may persist. Hives are not contagious, and cannot be passed on.

Hay fever – also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis - is an allergy to pollen, usually from grass or trees that can cause symptoms in either your eyes, nose or throat. In some sufferers it can cause a whole body response with a combination of symptoms, leaving you feeling pretty fed up and reluctant to embrace the great outdoors. It can also end up interfering with your work, study and sleep. Pollen is a dust-like particle, carried on the wind and by insects such as bees to pollinate more plants. Proteins in pollen can trigger an inflammatory response where an immune-fighting substance called histamine is released from mast cells in the body. This is helpful in protecting you from certain irritants, but hay fever and other allergic reactions occur because your histamine release mechanism goes into overdrive. Hay fever is very common, affecting around 1 in every 5 people in the UK, and it often starts as a child or teenager. It can run in families, and you are more likely to have hay fever if you also suffer from asthma or eczema. If you have hay fever, when you come into contact with pollen or the spores of moulds or fungi that you’re allergic to, your body produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Antibodies are usually only released to fight infection, but in this instance, your body believes the substance you’re allergic to is harmful. When there’s a lot of the substance you’re allergic to in the air, the IgE antibodies will trigger the release of chemicals from certain cells in your nose, throat and eyes. One of these chemicals is histamine, and as a result of histamine in your system, you’ll experience the symptoms of hay fever. Pollen is seasonal. You may be allergic to just one type of pollen, which means you are only susceptible to symptoms at certain times of the year, and therefore treatment can be limited to this time. Treatment can be targeted at relieving each symptom or with the aim of dampening down inflammation throughout the body. With lots of hay fever products on the market, it can be tricky to know which is right for you, so let’s talk you through the options.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that poses a significant global health threat, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions and is now a major public health concern due to its widespread prevalence and potential for severe complications. In this article we look at its causes, symptoms, how it is transmitted, risk factors, complications, and how it can be prevented.  What is dengue fever? Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus and is spread by the Aedes mosquito. This mosquito lives in areas with tropical and near-tropical climates such as Southeast Asia, Western Pacific regions, the Caribbean, Latin America, and some parts of the US (such as Texas and Hawaii), Africa, and the Middle East. It does not live in the UK or other Western countries although there is concern that global warming may mean the mosquito may travel to these countries in the future. However, you can become infected if you travel to a region where dengue fever is often found. There are four types of the virus (called DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4) that are all capable of causing the disease. The Aedes mosquitoes that pass it on to humans live in urban environments and breed in stagnant water. The transmission of the virus involves the female Aedes mosquito becoming infected after biting a person that is already infected with the virus. This infected mosquito then transmits the virus to healthy people by biting them. (Unlike some other mosquito-borne diseases, dengue is not spread directly from person to person.)