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Vulvitis What is vulvitis? Vulvitis is an inflammation of the vulva, the soft folds of skin outside the vagina. It’s a symptom that can result from an array of diseases. This can include infections, injuries, allergies, or irritants. Because it can be challenging to find the

Making the Home Environment Safe What's involved in making the home environment safe? When caring at home for an ill, aging, or disabled person of any age, it's important to think about home safety. Print out this helpful checklist. Then use it to check for safety issues around

HIV/AIDS What is HIV/AIDS? The term AIDS refers to the most advanced stages of an infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The current definition of AIDS includes: All HIV-infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4+ T cells (also called T4 cells or just T

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

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Adults What is whooping cough (pertussis)? Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory illness. It mainly affects babies and young children, but adults can also get it. Whooping cough caused thousands of deaths in the 1930s and 1940s

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

Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) What is infectious mononucleosis (mono)? Infectious mononucleosis is a type of infection. It causes swollen lymph glands, fever, sore throat, and often extreme fatigue. It's often spread through contact with infected saliva from the mouth. Symptoms

Polio (Poliomyelitis) What is polio? Poliomyelitis is commonly called polio. It's an infectious disease. It is caused by 1 of 3 types of poliovirus. Polio is easily spread from person to person. The poliovirus is a virus that can cause paralysis. But most people who are infected

Rubella (German Measles) What is rubella? Rubella is sometimes called German measles. It's a viral infection. It usually causes a mild illness in children. Adults have a slightly more severe illness. But the virus can cause serious birth defects in pregnant people. A vaccine is

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