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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

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

Hemolytic Anemia in Children What is hemolytic anemia in children? Hemolytic anemia is a group of disorders in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can make them. The term for destruction of red blood cells is hemolysis. What causes hemolytic anemia

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Children What is developmental dysplasia of the hip in children? Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a health problem of the hip joint. It’s when the joint hasn’t formed normally, so it doesn’t work as it should. DDH is present at

Hereditary Hemochromatosis What is hereditary hemochromatosis? Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic blood disorder that causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. Iron is a mineral found in many foods. But too much iron is toxic to your body. The excess

Rheumatic Fever What is rheumatic fever? Rheumatic fever is a complex disease that affects the joints, skin, heart, blood vessels, and brain. It happens mainly in children between the ages of 5 and 15. It's an autoimmune disease that occurs after an infection with strep

Long QT Syndrome What is long QT syndrome? Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disease that can cause a dangerous rapid heart rate and irregular rhythm involving the bottom pumping chambers of the heart (ventricles). The heart has both muscular and electrical components. Electricity

Chickenpox What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a common childhood disease. It causes an itchy, blistering rash and is easily spread to others. Until the varicella vaccine for chickenpox became available in 1995, chickenpox infection was very common. Almost everyone had been

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a set of symptoms caused by a problem with a woman’s hormones. It affects the ovaries. These are the small organs that store a woman’s eggs. But it can also affect the

Addison Disease in Children What is Addison disease in a child? Addison disease, also called primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare autoimmune endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don't make enough of the "stress" hormone called cortisol. Cortisol controls