Health Article description.What is hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a virus that can infect the liver. Hepatitis A spreads when people eat food or drink water that is contaminated by stool (feces) that has the virus in it. The infection usually goes away on its own and doesn't lead to long-term liver problems. Rarely, it can be more serious. How is it...

Health Article description.What is cerebral palsy (CP)? Cerebral palsy (CP) is a problem that makes it hard for a child to control movement. It's caused by injury to the brain. Usually this injury happens before birth. The brain injury that causes CP doesn't get worse over time, but symptoms may start, change, or become more severe as a child...

Health Article description.What is mumps? Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can cause painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands (between the ear and the jaw). Some people with mumps won't have gland swelling. They may feel like they have a bad cold or the flu instead. Mumps usually goes away on its own in...

Health Article description.Syphilis tests are done to check for a syphilis infection. They look for antibodies to the bacteria that cause syphilis. Some tests look for the syphilis bacteria. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. That means it is spread through sexual contact: vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also spread to the fetus of...

Health Article description.Covers hepatitis B virus (HBV) tests that check for hepatitis B infection. Looks at most common HBV tests. Explains how tests are done and how to prepare for them. Looks at other tests that show how well the liver is working. Covers test results.

Health Article description.What is rubella? Rubella is a very contagious (easily spread) illness caused by the rubella virus. It is usually a mild illness. But in rare cases, it may cause more serious problems. If you are pregnant and get infected with the rubella virus, you are at risk for miscarriage. And your baby (fetus) could become infected...

Health Article description.Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands throughout the body. They are part of the lymph system, which carries fluid (lymph fluid), nutrients, and waste material between the body tissues and the bloodstream. The lymph system is an important part...

Health Article description.Medicines and medical treatments can cause hair loss. Medicines Many medicines that can cause hair loss include: Medicines used to treat cancer ( chemotherapy). Birth control pills. Women who lose hair while taking birth control pills usually have an inherited tendency toward hair thinning. If hair thinning occurs, a...

Health Article description.Rotavirus is a virus that infects the intestinal tract. You can get rotavirus more than once, but the first infection is usually the worst. This infection causes stomach upset and diarrhea. Babies and very young children who have rotavirus...

Health Article description.A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that can help "make" sound if you have a certain type of severe hearing loss in both ears. The implant does the job of the damaged or absent nerve cells that in a normal ear make it possible to hear. Cochlear implants can be programmed according to your specific needs and...

Health Article description.Your first prenatal visit will probably be the longest visit you'll have. Your doctor or midwife will take your medical history and do a complete physical exam. You may also have some tests. This will provide information that can be used to check...

Health Article description.What is whooping cough? Whooping cough (pertussis) is a disease that causes very severe coughing that may last for months. During bursts of violent coughing, you may make a noise that sounds like a "whoop" when you try to take a breath. You can cough so hard that you hurt a rib. Whooping cough spreads easily from one...

Health Article description.Experts believe that one-third to one-half of all cancers can be prevented. That's because certain daily habits can make us more likely to get cancer. Changing these habits may help prevent cancer. For example, it may help to quit smoking, stay active, stay at a healthy weight, and get regular checkups and screenings...

Health Article description.When you spend time around an animal—whether it's a pet, a farm animal, or a wild animal—there's a chance you can pick up an infection. Some infections can seem mild, but others can be quite serious. So it's a good idea to learn about your risks...

Health Article description.Brown recluse spiders are also called violin or fiddleback spiders because of the dark violin- or fiddle-shaped mark on their back. They are about 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long and have six eyes grouped in three pairs rather than eight eyes like other...

Health Article description.Black widow spiders are found throughout North America. A female black widow is much more likely to deliver more venom than a male spider. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow...

Health Article description.Infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), or delta agent, occurs only in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV infection may make HBV infection more severe. In people who have long-term (chronic) HBV infection, HDV infection can make liver disease worse. Or it can cause a person who did...

Health Article description.Rabies is an infection caused by a virus. It affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) of mammals, including humans. It is nearly always deadly if not treated before symptoms appear. Animals that are infected with rabies—rabid...

Health Article description.What you pack in your first aid kit will depend on where and how long you plan to travel and the medical care available there. Here is a general list of items to include. Disposable gloves Face mask Insect repellent Sunscreen (SPF 30 to 50) and lip...

Health Article description.A tuberculin skin test (also called a Mantoux tuberculin test) is done to see if you have ever been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). The test is done by putting a small amount of TB protein (antigens) under the top layer of skin on your inner forearm.

Health Article description.During your adolescent's yearly medical checkup, most doctors: Check your child's height and weight, body mass index, blood pressure, vision, and hearing. Listen to your child's heart and lungs. Also, the doctor will feel the lymph nodes and the...

Health Article description.Cholera is a serious bacterial infection of the small intestine caused by Vibrio cholerae. It is spread through contaminated water and food. Cholera is especially common in areas that may not have good sanitation, such as Africa and Asia. Symptoms of cholera include nausea, muscle cramps, and vomiting and diarrhea that...

Health Article description.A splenectomy (say "splih-NEK-tuh-mee") is surgery to take out the spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left side of the belly. It filters old and damaged blood cells from the blood. You may have your spleen taken out because a health...

Health Article description.What is acute flaccid myelitis? Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare condition that affects the spinal cord. It causes certain muscles and reflexes in the body to stop working normally. What causes it? Experts are still doing research to find the exact cause of AFM. It may be linked to certain viruses. This includes...