Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza (flu). Flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and...

The bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia (infecting the lungs), epiglottitis (infecting the tissue at the back of the throat), and meningitis (infecting the tissues around the brain and spinal cord). The Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine has dramatically...

Other tests for lung infections, such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis, may include: Blood tests or cultures. Blood tests may help tell if you have antibodies to a specific organism that can cause pneumonia or if you have a specific virus, such as influenza (flu) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Doctors can use...

Opportunistic infections and diseases occur in people whose immune systems have been weakened by a disease such as HIV infection. Opportunistic infections that are common in people who have AIDS include pneumonia, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis. People who have AIDS are also more likely to develop cancers such as...

Links to information on colds and flu. Covers at-home treatment for cold and flu symptoms, the flu vaccine, prevention of colds and flu, and medicines for the flu.

Discusses vaccine-preventable illness that causes itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. Covers home treatment, including resting and taking medicines to reduce fever, itching. Includes info on shingles.

Discusses HIV, a virus that attacks white blood cells called CD4+ cells which are an important part of the immune system. Covers symptoms and stages of infection, including last stage called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Covers HIV treatment.

Briefly discusses causes of coughs in children, including common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, allergies, choking, and chemicals in the air. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Describes acute bronchitis, which is short-term inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs. Explains difference between bronchitis and pneumonia. Includes causes and symptoms like cough. Covers treatment options.

High blood sugar from diabetes can affect the body's immune system, impairing the ability of white blood cells to come to the site of an infection, stay in the infected area, and kill microorganisms. Because of the buildup of plaque in blood vessels associated with diabetes, areas of infection may receive a poor blood...

Legionnaires' disease is an infection of the lungs (pneumonia) caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella pneumophila. People develop Legionnaires' disease from breathing in the bacteria, which may be carried in airborne water droplets from contaminated water sources, such as air-conditioning cooling towers...

Discusses symptoms of a broken (fractured) rib, such as pain and difficulty when breathing and pain around fractured area. Covers how broken ribs are diagnosed. Looks at treatment choices. Offers home care tips to prevent pneumonia.

A CD4+ count is a blood test to see how well the immune system is working in people who have been diagnosed with HIV. CD4+ cells are a type of white blood cell. White blood cells are important in fighting infections. CD4+ cells are also called T-lymphocytes, T-cells, or T-helper cells. HIV infects CD4+ cells. The number...

Discusses symptoms of the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus. Covers how it's spread and when people who have the flu are contagious. Discusses prevention, including getting the influenza vaccine. Offers home treatment tips.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV) is a common childhood infection that anyone can get. It can cause a runny nose, coughing, and wheezing. Most people get over RSV with home care. There are medicines for babies and young children that can help prevent infection. And adults age 60 and over can get a vaccine to...

Antibiotics are drugs used to kill bacteria. Bacteria can cause infections such as strep throat, ear infections, and pneumonia. These medicines can't cure everything. They don't kill viruses or help with allergies. And they don't help illnesses such as the common cold, the flu, or a runny nose. Antibiotics are generally...

Although most cases of influenza (flu) get better without causing other problems, complications sometimes develop. Possible problems from the flu include: Pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. It rarely causes death in young, healthy people. But it can often be life-threatening in older adults, people who have...

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which scarring occurs in the lungs. It can be caused by an infection (such as tuberculosis or pneumonia) or injury or by breathing certain materials, such as asbestos. But sometimes no cause can be found for pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis makes the lungs less elastic and can...

A cold agglutinins blood test is done to check for conditions that cause the body to make certain types of antibodies called cold agglutinins. Cold agglutinins are normally made by the immune system in response to infection. They cause red blood cells to clump together (agglutinate) at low temperatures. Healthy people...

A nebulizer is a device used to deliver liquid medicine in the form of a fine mist (aerosol). Medicine may be given through a nebulizer to treat respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pneumonia. The nebulizer allows the medicine to go directly to a person's airways and...

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most severe stage of HIV infection. HIV attacks and destroys a type of white blood cell called CD4+ cells, or helper cells. These cells are an important part of the immune system. If HIV is not treated, it will usually get worse over time and cause AIDS. A person who has...

Pulmonologists are medical doctors who further specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia. Pulmonologists perform tests to check how well a person is breathing. And they may use procedures such as bronchoscopy to diagnose a breathing problem. Pulmonologists can be...

What is toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Most people who become infected don't have symptoms. This is because the immune system is usually able to fight the disease. Toxoplasmosis is dangerous to a pregnant woman and her fetus. What causes it? Toxoplasmosis can result from...

Pleurisy is swelling (inflammation) of the thin layers of tissue (pleura) covering the lungs and the chest wall. In young, healthy people, a viral infection of the lower respiratory system or pneumonia may cause the inflammation and pleurisy. Other causes of pleurisy include air leaking into the pleural cavity from a...