General Practice

It is often not easy to tell whether it is flu, a cold or COVID-19, as the symptoms are very similar. Nevertheless, there are key differences in how they progress, their severity and the risks involved. Whilst a common cold usually starts gradually, the real flu often hits you like a blow, and COVID-19 continues to present a wide variety of variants. In this article, you’ll learn how to interpret your body’s warning signs correctly, what characteristics are typical of each pathogen, and when you should definitely see a doctor.

Hives (urticaria) is a common skin condition in which red, itchy welts suddenly appear on the skin. Many people affected wonder: What causes this? How can I recognise hives – and what can I do myself to relieve the itching? In this article, you’ll find simple and easy-to-understand information on the possible causes of urticaria, what the typical symptoms look like, and which treatments really help.

Antibiotic resistance refers to the development of bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics. As a result, these medicines can lose their effectiveness, meaning that bacterial infections can no longer be treated effectively. Read on to find out how resistance develops, what risks it poses and how this problem can be tackled.

Almost everyone experiences problems with haemorrhoids (haemorrhoidal disease) at some point in their lives. Women and men are affected in roughly equal measure. Many people feel embarrassed about symptoms in the anal area and are reluctant to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. However, timely treatment can prevent unnecessary pain and stop the condition from getting worse.

Scarlet fever is a highly contagious infectious disease. Characteristic symptoms include fever, a sore throat, a rash and what is known as ‘raspberry tongue’. With early antibiotic treatment, the disease can usually be treated quickly and effectively. Read on to find out exactly what scarlet fever is, how it is transmitted, what the symptoms are and how it is treated.

The flu jab (influenza vaccination) not only offers a high level of protection against the flu itself, but also, in particular, protects against severe cases of the illness, which can be accompanied by life-threatening complications such as pneumonia or myocarditis. In this article, you can read about who should be vaccinated, when the best time to get vaccinated is, what side effects may occur, and everything else you need to know about the flu jab.

Pneumonia can affect various parts of the lungs and is usually caused by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. This infectious disease is particularly dangerous for older people and manifests itself through a range of symptoms. Find out here how to recognise the condition, how it is treated and what you can do to prevent pneumonia.