Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping cough — or pertussis — is an infection of the respiratory system caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (or B. pertussis). It's characterized by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in. Before a vaccine was available, pertussis killed 5,000 to 10,000 people in the United States each year. Now, the pertussis vaccine has reduced the annual number of deaths to less than 30. But in recent yea

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Amebiasis

Amebiasis is an intestinal illness that's typically transmitted when someone eats or drinks something that's contaminated with a microscopic parasite called Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica). The parasite is an amoeba, a single-celled organism. That's how the illness got its name — amebiasis. In many cases, the parasite lives in a person's large intestine without causing any symptoms. But sometimes, it invades the lining of the large intes

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Wart

Many of us have had a wart somewhere on our bodies at some time. Other than being a nuisance, most warts are harmless and go away on their own. More common in kids than in adults, warts are skin infections caused by viruses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. They can affect any area of the body, but tend to invade warm, moist places, like small cuts or scratches on the fingers, hands, and feet. Warts are usually painless unless they're o

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Male Problems

Things That Can Go Wrong With the Male Reproductive System Boys may sometimes experience reproductive system problems, including: Disorders of the Scrotum, Testicles, or EpididymisConditions affecting the scrotal contents may involve the testicles, epididymis, or the scrotum itself. Testicular trauma. Even a mild injury to the testicles can cause severe pain, bruising, or swelling. Most testicular injuries occur when the testicles are struck,

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Female Problems

Problems of the Female Reproductive System Your daughter may sometimes experience reproductive system problems. Below are some examples of disorders that affect the female reproductive system. Problems of the Vulva and Vagina Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vulva and vagina. It may be caused by irritating substances (such as laundry soaps or bubble baths). Poor personal hygiene (such as wiping from back to front after a bowel movemen

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Lymphatic System Problems

Problems of the Lymphatic System Certain diseases can affect the lymph nodes, the spleen, or the collections of lymphoid tissue in certain areas of the body. Lymphadenopathy. This is a condition where the lymph nodes become swollen or enlarged, usually because of a nearby infection. Swollen lymph glands in the neck, for example, can be caused by a throat infection. Once the infection is treated, the swelling usually goes away. If several lymph

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