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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

Persistent Depressive Disorder in Children What is persistent depressive disorder in children? Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression. Depression affects a child’s body, mood, and thoughts. It can disturb eating, sleeping, or thinking patterns. It's not the same

Lupus What is lupus? Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is an autoimmune disease that causes your body’s immune system to attack its own cells and tissues. It causes episodes of inflammation to various parts of the body. It can affect your joints, tendons, and skin. It

Omphalocele What is an omphalocele? An omphalocele is a birth defect. It happens when your baby is forming during pregnancy. In this condition, some of your baby’s abdominal organs poke out (protrude) from the belly through the belly button (umbilicus). A clear (translucent)

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

Peyronie Disease What is Peyronie disease? Peyronie disease causes hard, flat plaque to form under the skin on the tissue of the penis. The plaque often starts as an inflammation that may turn into scar tissue. The plaque builds up inside the penis in the thick elastic membrane

Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. MS is unpredictable. The symptoms of MS can range from mild to disabling, such as losing the

Occupational Lung Diseases What are work-related lung diseases? Work-related lung diseases are lung problems that are caused by certain work environments. They are caused by breathing materials into the lungs. These lung diseases may have lasting effects, even after the exposure

Actinic Keratosis What is actinic keratosis? Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough, scaly spot or bump on sun-exposed skin. Most people with AK have more than one spot. AK is the most common precancer of the skin. Over time, it can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. Most

Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis What is cirrhosis? Cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. This stops the liver from working normally. Cirrhosis is a long-term (chronic) liver disease. The damage to your liver builds up over time. The liver is your body’s