What Are Helicobacter pylori? Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are a type of bacteria. These germs are a common cause of digestive illnesses, including: gastritis: the irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining peptic ulcers (often called stomach ulcers): sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus later in life, stomach cancer Kids can get stomachaches for many reasons, like indigestion, viruses, …
What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM)? Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFM) is a common viral infection that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area. HFM is contagious and easily spreads to others through contact with unwashed hands, feces (poop), saliva (spit), mucus …
What Is Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea (gah-nuh-REE-uh) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). What Are STDs? STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are infections that spread through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal). Some STDs can spread through close contact with the genitals or body fluids. How Do People Get Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea spreads through sex (vaginal, oral, …
What Are Genital Warts? Genital warts are warts that are on or near the vagina or penis (the genitals). What Causes Genital Warts? Genital warts are usually a sexually transmitted disease (STD). They’re caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). There are many different strains of the HPV virus. Some can cause genital warts, while others can lead to cervical …
What Is Genital Herpes? Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). There’s no cure for genital herpes, but medicines can help control the infection. What Are STDs? STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs) are infections that spread through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal) or close sexual contact. What Are the Signs & Symptoms …
What Is Gastroenteritis? Gastroenteritis, often called the stomach flu, is a common illness that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and belly cramps. It usually lasts a few days and isn’t serious. Most kids get better at home by resting and drinking plenty of liquids. What Causes Gastroenteritis? Gastroenteritis (gass-troh-en-teh-RYE-tis) happens when germs (viruses, bacteria, or parasites) infect the stomach or intestines, …
What Is Food Poisoning? Food poisoning is caused by bacteria and, sometimes, viruses or other germs. They can get into the food we eat or the liquids we drink. We can’t taste, smell, or see these germs (at least not without a microscope). But even though they’re tiny, they can have a powerful effect on the body. When germs that …
What Are Germs? The term “germs” refers to the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease. Washing hands well and often is the best way to prevent germs from leading to infections and sickness. What Problems Can Germs Cause? When germs invade the body, they get ready to stay for a while. These …
What Is Fifth Disease? Fifth disease is viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications. Also called erythema infectiosum, it’s caused by parvovirus B19. It’s especially common in kids ages 5 to 15. Fifth disease causes a distinctive red rash on the face that makes a child appear to have a “slapped …
All kids get a fever from time to time. A fever itself usually causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it’s often a sign that the body is fighting an infection. But when your child wakes in the middle of the night flushed, hot, and sweaty, it’s easy to be …
Permissions Guidelines
