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Diphtheria What is diphtheria? Diphtheria is an illness caused by bacteria. There are two types: Respiratory diphtheria. This type affects the throat, nose, and tonsils. Skin (cutaneous) diphtheria. This type affects the skin. It was a common childhood disease in the past. A

Shingles What is shingles? Shingles (herpes zoster) is a common infection of the nerves. It is caused by a virus. Shingles set off a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, but it typically appears on only one side of the face or

Safer Sex Guidelines What is safe sex? Having sex with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is believed to be safe. But many health care professionals believe that the only way to be truly safe is not to have

Overview of Sleep Disorders Facts about sleep disorders Loss of sleep can cause problems at home or on the job. It can lead to serious or even fatal accidents. The National Sleep Foundation notes that: Between 50 and 70 million U.S. adults have some type of sleep or wakefulness

Pollen and Children What is pollen? Each grain of pollen is tiny (microscopic). When there is a lot of pollen together, it becomes a fine yellow powder. It's made of the male reproductive cells of flowering plants, trees, grasses, and weeds. It's the most common cause of hay

Traveling with a Chronic Condition Take care when traveling with a chronic condition Chronic conditions should not prevent you from enjoying travel. As with other medical conditions, if you have a chronic disease, you should see your healthcare provider as early as possible

Anemia and Chemotherapy Anemia is a potential side effect of chemotherapy (chemo). It's a condition that involves a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in your body. These are the cells that carry oxygen to other cells all over your body. Chemotherapy can damage your

Tests to Diagnose a Stroke How is a stroke diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history. They will give you a physical exam. You may also have these tests to diagnose a stroke. Imaging tests of the brain CT scan. This test uses X-rays and a computer

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy in Children What is FSHD in children? Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a rare genetic muscle disease that affects the muscles of your child’s face, shoulders, upper arms, and lower legs. These muscles weaken and shrink

Speech Sound Disorders in Children What are speech sound disorders in children? It’s normal for young children learning language skills to have some trouble saying words the right way. That’s part of the learning process. Their speech skills develop over time. They master certain