Search Results

Tuberculosis (TB) in Children What is tuberculosis in children? Tuberculosis (TB) is an ongoing (chronic) infection caused by bacteria. It usually infects the lungs. But other organs, such as the kidneys, spine, or brain, may be affected. TB is most often spread through droplets

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

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

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

High Blood Pressure: Hypertension What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. The force is made with each heartbeat as blood is pumped from the heart into the blood vessels. This is called systolic blood pressure. Blood

Scleroderma in Children What is scleroderma in children? Scleroderma is an ongoing (chronic) disease that causes abnormal growth of connective tissue. It can affect the joints, skin, cartilage, and internal organs. It is a rare degenerative disease and gets worse over time. There

X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia in Children What is X-linked agammaglobulinemia in children? X-linked agammaglobulinemia is a rare genetic disease. It causes a weakened immune system. It is also known as Bruton's agammaglobulinemia. X-linked means that the gene that causes this

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

Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) in Children What is DBA in children? Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare blood disorder. Children with DBA don't make enough red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to all other cells in the body. Blood cells are made in the bone marrow, the

Anaphylaxis in Children What is anaphylaxis in children? Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening reaction to an allergen. An allergen is something that your child is allergic to. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Your child can have a reaction to an allergen within seconds or