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Breast Pain (Mastalgia) What is mastalgia? Mastalgia is breast pain. There are 2 main types of mastalgia: Cyclical breast pain. The pain is linked to menstrual periods. Noncyclic breast pain. The pain may come from the breast. Or it may come from somewhere else, such as nearby

Overview of Kidney Disorders How do the kidneys work? The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy. After the body has used all the food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood. The kidneys and urinary system help

Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) in Adults What is a middle ear infection? A middle ear infection occurs behind the eardrum. It's most often caused by a virus or bacteria. Most kids have at least one middle ear infection by the time they are 3 years old, but adults can also

The Menstrual Cycle: An Overview What is ovulation? When a young woman reaches puberty, she starts to ovulate. This is when a mature egg or ovum is released from one of the ovaries. The ovaries are the two female reproductive organs found in the pelvis. If the egg is fertilized

Salmonella Infections What are salmonella infections? Salmonella infection is caused by the bacteria salmonella. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause diarrhea in humans. There are many different kinds of salmonella bacteria. What causes salmonella infections

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Newborns What is CMV in newborns? CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a type of herpes virus. It's very common. It affects people of all ages and in all parts of the U.S. In most cases, CMV causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause serious

The Child's Immune System What is the immune system? The immune system protects your child's body from outside invaders. This includes germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and toxins (chemicals made by microbes). The immune system is made up of different organs, cells

Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis How is cystic fibrosis diagnosed? Newborns are screened for cystic fibrosis (CF) as part of each state's newborn screening program. If the results are positive, it does not mean your baby has cystic fibrosis. More tests are done as described below. In

Warts What are warts? Warts are common skin growths. They can spread to other parts of the body and to other people by contact. Most warts go away with no treatment over a long time. There are many kinds of warts. The most common types of warts are: Common warts. These grow on