What Is HIV? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. The immune system is the body’s germ fighting system. The immune system becomes weaker, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and some kinds of cancers. Most people who get treatment early and take medicines for HIV can live long, healthy …
It’s sneaky, it’s silent, and it can permanently harm your liver. It’s called hepatitis (say: heh-puh-TYE-tus). Some people have hepatitis for many years without knowing it and then discover they have liver damage because of it. What Is Hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation (say: in-fluh-MAY-shun) — a kind of irritation — or infection of the liver. The liver, …
What Is a Cold Sore? Cold sores are small blisters that are reddish and a little painful. They’re usually on the outer edge of the lip or inside the mouth. Cold sores can appear one at a time or in little bunches. They’re filled with fluid, but crust over and form a scab before they …
What Is Chickenpox? Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. People who get the virus have: a fever a rash of spots that look like blisters They also might get a runny nose, cough, and stomachache. Thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, kids don’t get chickenpox as much as they once did. What Are the Signs of Chickenpox? Chickenpox …
What Is Athlete’s Foot? Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis (say: TIN-ee-uh PEH-dus), is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus (say: FUN-guss). This fungus eats old skin cells. And plenty of them can be found on the feet! Why Is It Called Athlete’s Foot? It’s called athlete’s foot because athletes often get it. The fungus that …
Broken bones have an amazing ability to heal, especially in kids. New bone forms within a few weeks of the injury, although full healing can take longer. How Do Casts & Splints Help Broken Bones Heal? Casts and splints hold broken bones in place while they heal. In about a month or so, new hard bone has formed and …
A aerobic (say: air-OH-bik) activity: Aerobic activity is any kind of movement that makes your muscles use oxygen. It gets your heart pumping, too. Swimming, dancing, and soccer are all types of aerobic activity, so hit that pool, dance floor, or soccer field and get moving! anesthesia (say: ah-nes-THEE-zhuh): Special medicine that causes sleepiness and prevents pain during surgery. angina (say: …
Cystic Fibrosis Say: SIS-tik fi-BRO-sus You may know that you have mucus in your nose, mouth, and lungs, and that it helps keep you healthy. But kids with the condition cystic fibrosis have bodies that make thick, sticky mucus. This causes problems in their lungs and their digestive tract. The condition makes it hard for them to breathe and also …
What Is an Incentive Spirometer? An incentive spirometer (say: in-SEN-tiv spy-ROM-eh-tur) is a hand-held device that helps people to take slow, deep breaths. It’s like exercise equipment for the lungs to keep them strong and working well. Why Do Kids Need an Incentive Spirometer? Breathing deeply helps get enough air into your lungs so they inflate as much as …
What Is a Heart Murmur? You know the sound of your heartbeat: lub-dub, lub-dub. In some people, the blood makes an extra noise as it flows through the heart. This sound is called a murmur (say: MER-mer). Doctors hear a heart murmur as a whooshing sound between heartbeats. The whoosh is just an extra noise …
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