HPV or human papillomavirus is a group of viruses that infect human mucous membranes and skin. HPV is highly contagious. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and vaccines.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is used as a tumor marker. An elevated or rising CEA level indicates cancer progression or recurrence. Read on to learn about the meaning of different CEA blood ranges, the CEA test, and how to know what a healthy blood test range is for CEA.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein found in semen. PSA levels are used to detect prostate cancer and monitor the progression of the disease. Learn about test uses, results, and accuracy.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV symptoms and signs include rash, fatigue, enlarged lymph glands, and recurrent vaginal yeast infections. Read about HIV testing, treatment, transmission, and prevention.

Hepatitis B (HBV, Hep B) is a virus that spreads through infected blood or body secretions (blood, semen, vaginal discharge, breast milk, and saliva). Read about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, and prevention.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA test, detects immune responses in the body. ELISA tests can detect hormones, bacterial antigens, and antibodies. Read on to learn how the ELISA test works and how it's used.

Viral hepatitis refers to hepatitis caused by a few specific viruses that primarily attack the liver. Hepatitis symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, and abdominal pain. Learn about different types, causes, and treatments.

Bird flu, or avian flu, causes symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. Strains that infect humans include H5N1, H7N9, H5N8, and H10N3. Learn about vaccination, transmission, treatment, prevention, and prognosis. The first US case was confirmed in April of 2022.

The antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) produced in the blood of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) sufferers allows doctors to test for PBC. PBC is a chronic disease with common signs and symptoms such as fatigue, itching, and jaundice. AMAs react to a multienzyme complex that allows for diagnosis.

HIV is known as the human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS is called the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Causes of HIV/AIDS include unprotected sexual contact, using contaminated needles, mother-to-child transmission, contaminated blood or tissue during a transfusion or transplant, or via breast milk from an infected mother.

Swine flu (H1N1, H3N2) is a respiratory illness. The swine flu viruses that infect pigs can change, easily transmitting the virus to humans. Get the facts on swine flu (swine influenza A H1N1 virus) history, symptoms, how this contagious infection is transmitted, prevention with a vaccine, diagnosis, treatment, news, and research.

Get information about the 3 different types of HIV testing, the window period, how long it takes to get results, HIV test accuracy, testing for pregnant women, and how to find testing locations.

Read the vaccination schedule for adults and teens, and learn about recommended immunizations for MMR, HPV, Td/Tdap, varicella, tetanus, shingles, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid.

Leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by the bite of an infected sand fly. See pictures and learn about treatment, symptoms, diagnosis, types, prevention, risk factors, and prognosis.

With anal cancer, malignant cells grow in the tissues of the anus. Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) increases your risk. A lump near the anus, anal discharge, bleeding, itching, and pressure are signs and symptoms. Anal cancer may be curable with early detection and surgery.

Monkeypox (mpox) is a viral disease that causes symptoms such as fever, sweating, and a rash with papules and pustules on the face and chest. Get the facts on the recent outbreak, treatment, prevention, prognosis, and diagnosis.

The HPV test is used with other tests to screen for the two HPV types most likely to cause cancer, and to identify all high-risk HPV types. HPV can cause cancer, but not all types. Risk of cervical cancer depends on the strain of HPV.

Read about cancer risk factors and causes, such as age, family history, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, radiation, chemicals, viruses, and bacteria.

Symptoms and signs of group A streptococcal infections include sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, low blood pressure, and tissue destruction. Read about treatment, contagious, diagnosis, and complications.

What is a genetic disease or disorder? Learn from a list of genetic diseases that are caused by abnormalities in an individual's genome. There are four main types of genetic inheritance, single, multifactorial, chromosome abnormalities, and mitochondrial inheritance. Genetic testing is available for some genetic diseases.

Schistosomiasis (snail fever) causes a variety of symptoms and signs, such as cough, rash, fever, and blood in the stool or urine. Read about diagnosis, treatment, complications, prognosis, and prevention of this parasitic infection.

Get information on the medical pros and cons of newborn circumcision procedure. Circumcised infants have fewer UTIs and a higher risk of meatitis. STDs and penis cancer are more common in uncircumcised men.

Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In the early stages of HPV infection, there are no symptoms, but as cancer progresses the most common signs and symptoms are an increase in vaginal discharge, painful sex, and postmenopausal bleeding.

Chagas disease is an infection caused by the T. cruzi parasite. Symptoms of Chagas disease include rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and the Romaña sign. An ELISA test is used to diagnose Chagas disease. Treatment depends upon the phase of the disease and the patient's age.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections are caused by NTM, most commonly M. avium complex (MAC). NTM are found in the soil, air, and water, so you can get an infection from swimming, gardening, or breathing air with NTM. Common symptoms of NTM are chronic, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Treatment guidelines for NTM depend upon the type and extent of the infection, and the person's health.

Get the facts about thallium poisoning side effects, health risks and toxicity testing. Learn the metal's characteristic, uses and where it is naturally found.

Learn about influenza (flu) symptoms, treatment with antiviral drugs, flu shot side effects, and prevention during flu season. Discover when to get the flu vaccine, how long the flu lasts, the contagious period, flu types (influenza A, B, and C), and how it spreads.

Read a comparison of formula feeding and breastfeeding benefits, and learn about homemade formulas and how to choose the healthiest infant formula for your baby.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. Get the facts on leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow, and blood) symptoms, survival rates, diagnosis, causes, signs, 9 types (acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia), research, treatment information, prognosis, and side effects.

Get information on breastfeeding and formula feeding benefits and disadvantages. Read about common breastfeeding problems and pumping tips, and learn about how certain foods in a mother's diet affect her nursing baby. Discover how to handle breast soreness and discomfort.

Learn about Enterovirulent E. coli (EEC), a strain of bacteria that causes bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. The major symptoms of EEC are diarrhea. Transmission of EEC infections is through contaminated food or drink.

Common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and HPV infection (genital warts). Learn about types, symptoms, and treatment.

Get the facts on artificial sweetener types like Splenda (sucralose), Sweet'N Low (saccharin), Equal and NutraSweet (aspartame), acesulfame K, and neotame.