Tangier Disease is an inherited blood disorder involving decreased concentrations of fat compounds in the blood called high-density lipoproteins (sometimes called "good cholesterol"). Large amounts of these compounds may accumulate in certain orga...

Bronchitis is an infection that causes irritation and inflammation in the lungs' major airways (bronchi). Bronchitis is divided into two types: acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that can reoccur. Long-term stress, such...

Bronchitis is an infection that affects the lungs' major airways (bronchi), causing irritation and inflammation. Bronchitis can be classified into two types: acute and long-term. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term problem that can come back. It is usu...

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that belongs to the herpesvirus family. It can infect people of all ages and is usually harmless to those with a healthy immune system. However, it can cause serious complications in individuals with weakene...

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is spread through respiratory droplets or direct contact with an infected p...

Erythema nodosum is a type of skin inflammation that is located in a certain portion of the fatty layer of skin. Erythema nodosum (also called EN) results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the k...

Influenza, a viral infection, causes an illness that can range from mild to life-threatening. Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs. ...

Formaldehyde Poisoning is a disorder brought about by breathing the fumes of formaldehyde. This can occur while working directly with formaldehyde, or using equipment cleaned with formaldehyde. Major symptoms may include eye, nose, and throat irri...

Formaldehyde Poisoning is a disorder brought about by breathing the fumes of formaldehyde. This can occur while working directly with formaldehyde, or using equipment cleaned with formaldehyde. Major symptoms may include eye, nose, and throat irri...

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic skin disorder characterized clinically by blister formation from mechanical trauma. There are four main types with additional sub-types identified. There is a spectrum of severity, and within each type, one ...

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children under the age of 5, although it can also occur in older children and adults. It is caused by several different viruses, most commonly the coxs...

What is cancer? Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. All of the bodies tissues and organs are composed of cells of various types. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells i...

Papular urticaria, usually called hives, is characterized by large numbers of very itchy red bumps (papules) that come and go every few days over a period of a month or so. The bumps are usually between 0.2 and 2 cm. in size and some may develop i...

Cowpox is a viral disease that normally affects the udders and teats of cows. On rare occasions, it may be transmitted to humans and produce a characteristic red skin rash and abnormally enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). Cowpox is caused by ...

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses that can infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans. There are over 100 different types of HPV, some of which can cause genital warts and others that can lead to various types of cancer, includi...

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and can sometimes lead to hospitalization or even death. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore thro...

Until recently the relationship of Stevens-Johnson syndrome to other severe blistering disorders was a matter of some debate. Now a consensus seems to be evolving that describes SJS as a rare disorder involving lesions of the mucous membranes alon...

What is cancer? Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the larynx and the other organs of the body. Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When normal cells...

Latex allergy facts Latex allergy is dramatically on the rise throughout the world. Latex allergy rises with exposure and is suspected to continue to rise until a latex substitute is found. Latex allergy can be s...

Milk allergy is an abnormal response by the body's immune system to milk and products containing milk. It's one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow's milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and o...

Megalocornea-mental retardation (MMR) syndrome, otherwise known as Neuhauser syndrome, is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by distinctive abnormalities of the eye, several degrees of cognitive impairment, and a wide variety of addi...

Mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is most commonly seen in teenagers and young adults, but can affect people of any age. Mono is typically spread through saliva, which is why it ...

Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome (MSS) is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple organ systems of the body. Common symptoms include difficulty coordinating voluntary movements due to degeneration (atrophy) of the cerebellum (cerebellar ataxia), c...

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic skin disorder characterized clinically by blister formation from mechanical trauma. There are four main types with additional sub-types identified. There is a spectrum of severity, and within each type, one ...

A norovirus is a small virus that contains RNA and is surrounded by a protein coating. By sequencing the RNA, scientists have discovered that there are many different types of norovirus. Originally, strains were named based on the city in which th...

Pierre Robin sequence is characterized by an unusually small lower jaw (micrognathia) and downward displacement of the tongue (glossoptosis). Some infants also have an abnormal opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); both the soft and har...

Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to paralysis, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, death. It primarily affects children under the age of 5. The virus is spread through contaminated food and wat...

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a common respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. It commonly affects infants by the time they reach the age of two.  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection symptoms ...

Androgen insensitivity refers to an inability of the body to respond properly to male sex hormones (androgens) produced during pregnancy. This occurs because of a change (mutation) in a gene involved in the production of the protein inside cells t...

Androgen insensitivity refers to an inability of the body to respond properly to male sex hormones (androgens) produced during pregnancy. This occurs because of a change (mutation) in a gene involved in the production of the protein inside cells t...

Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious viral infection that causes a mild fever and a red rash on the skin. It is typically a mild illness, but can be more serious for pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects in the developing...

Mucopolysaccharidoses, which are also known as mucopolysaccharide storage (MPS) diseases, are a group of rare genetic disorders caused by the deficiency of one of ten specific lysosomal enzymes. The lysosomes are particles bound in membranes withi...

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Syphilis can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or...

Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the bo...

Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the bo...

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. It is commonly found in cat feces and can also be present in contaminated soil, water, and raw or undercooked meat. In healthy individuals, toxoplasmosis may cause mild flu-like ...

Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is a disease that results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world's most common parasites. Infection usually occurs by eating undercooked contaminated meat, exposure from infected ca...

The respiratory system consists of a network of organs like the nose, mouth, voice box, windpipe, airways, lungs, blood vessels, and specific muscles. All work together in a coordinated manner and help in respiration. Upper Respirat...

General DiscussionVACTERL association is a nonrandom association of birth defects that affects multiple median and para-median structures. The term VACTERL is an acronym with each letter representing the first letter of one of the more co...

General DiscussionVACTERL association is a nonrandom association of birth defects that affects multiple median and para-median structures. The term VACTERL is an acronym with each letter representing the first letter of one of the more co...