Health

I love coffee but people tell me that it stunts your growth. Is that true? - Tara* No, coffee doesn't stunt your growth. But coffee does contain caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system. For most people, a cup or two of coffee a day does...

I love coffee but people tell me that it stunts yo...

Also called: Mycoses If you have ever had athlete's foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is actually a primitive vegetable. Mushrooms, mold and mildew are examples. Fungi live in air, in soil, on plants and in water. Some live ...

Also called: Mycoses If you have ever had athlete'...

Also called: Grippe, Influenza Flu is a respiratory infection caused by a number of viruses. The viruses pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth. Between 5% and 20% of people in the U.S. get the flu each year. The flu can ...

Also called: Grippe, Influenza Flu is a respirator...

If you spend time outdoors or have pets that go outdoors, you need to beware of ticks. Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites. Many species transmit diseases to animals and people. Some of the diseases you can get from a tick bite are Lyme disease, e...

If you spend time outdoors or have pets that go ou...

Also called: Fever blister, Oral herpes Cold sores are caused by a contagious virus called herpes simplex. There are two types of herpes simplex virus. Type 1 usually causes oral herpes, or cold sores. Type 1 herpes virus infects more than half of th...

Also called: Fever blister, Oral herpes Cold sores...

Botulism is a rare but serious illness. The cause is a toxin (poison) made by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. It occurs naturally in soil.There are several kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism comes from eating foods contaminated with the ...

Botulism is a rare but serious illness. The cause ...

Also called: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It kills or damages the body's immune system cells. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the most adv...

Also called: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, H...

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute...

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tub...

Like other parts of the body, bones can get infected. The infections are usually bacterial, but can also be fungal. They may spread to the bone from nearby skin or muscles, or from another part of the body through the bloodstream. People who are at r...

Like other parts of the body, bones can get infect...

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and deep underlying tissues. Group A strep (streptococcal) bacteria are the most common cause. The bacteria enter your body when you get an injury such as a bruise, burn, surgical cut, or wound.Symptoms include:...

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and deep un...

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing - everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. In the course of a year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds.You can get a cold by touching your e...

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing - e...

Also called: Septic arthritis Most kinds of arthritis cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Infectious arthritis is an infection in the joint. The infection comes from a bacterial,...

Also called: Septic arthritis Most kinds of arthri...

Also called: Communicable diseases Infectious diseases kill more people worldwide than any other single cause. Infectious diseases are caused by germs. Germs are tiny living things that are found everywhere - in air, soil and water. You can get infec...

Also called: Communicable diseases Infectious dise...

Also called: Listeriosis Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria found in soil and water. It can be in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods and foods made from unpasteurized milk. Listeria is unli...

Also called: Listeriosis Listeriosis is a foodborn...

Also called: Bronchopneumonia Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. You can also get pneumonia by inhaling a liquid or chemical. People most at risk are older tha...

Also called: Bronchopneumonia Pneumonia is an infe...

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent of the differe...

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell...

Also called: Stomach flu Have you ever had the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gas...

Also called: Stomach flu Have you ever had the "st...

Also called: Sexually transmitted infections, STDs, Venereal disease Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. Ther...

Also called: Sexually transmitted infections, STDs...

Also called: Zoonoses Animal diseases that people can catch are called zoonoses. Many diseases affecting humans can be traced to animals or animal products. You can get a disease directly from an animal, or indirectly, through the environment.Farm an...

Also called: Zoonoses Animal diseases that people ...

Also called: Pertussis Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable coughing. The name comes from the noise you make when you take a breath after you cough. You may have choking spells or may cough so hard that you vom...

Also called: Pertussis Whooping cough is an infect...

Also called: WNV West Nile virus (WNV) is an infectious disease that first appeared in the United States in 1999. Infected mosquitoes spread the virus that causes it. People who get WNV usually have no symptoms or mild symptoms. The symptoms include ...

Also called: WNV West Nile virus (WNV) is an infec...