Medical terms

Viruses and viral diseases

Use lower case and roman when referring both to a virus and/or the disease it causes. Also use lower case and roman for common virus names. 

For example:

• The varicella zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles.

• Roseola infantum is caused by a type of herpes virus called human herpesvirus 6.

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes virus.

• The first symptoms of slapped cheek disease usually appear around 2 weeks after infection with parvovirus.

• Gastroenteritis in children is often caused by rotavirus.

Exceptions include:

• COVID-19

• names that include a proper noun.

Bacteria and bacterial diseases

Use initial caps and italics when referring to a bacterium:

• Haemophilus influenzae type B

• Streptococcus pyogenes (but note that the bacterium is often called group A strep)

• Streptococcus pneumoniae (but note that the bacterium is commonly known as pneumococcus)

• Neisseria meningitidis (but note that the bacterium is commonly known as meningococcus).

Use lower case and roman when referring to the common names for bacteria or the diseases caused by bacteria:

• Haemophilus influenzae type B causes diseases like epiglottitis.

• Scarlet fever is a complication that can happen when a child has a throat or skin infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep).

• Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. Examples of meningococcal disease include septicaemia and meningitis.

• Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Examples of pneumococcal disease include meningitis, pneumonia and bacteraemia.