Disorders and Diseases

Understanding Smallpox
by National Institute of Health
Smallpox is a disfiguring and potentially deadly infectious disease caused by the Variola major virus. Before smallpox was eradicated, there were two forms of the disease worldwide: Variola major, the deadly disease, and Variola minor, a much milder form.

Pneumococcal Disease
by CDC
What is pneumococcal disease? Pneumococcal disease are infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. The most common types of infections caused by this bacteria include middle ear infections, pneumonia, blood

Pneumococcal Pneumonia
by National Institute of Health
Pneumococcal pneumonia mainly causes illness in children younger than 2 years old and adults 65 years of age or older. The elderly are especially at risk of getting seriously ill and dying from this disease. In addition, people with certain medical

Blood Transfusions and Organ Donations
by CDC
After unexplained neurological illnesses resulted in two organ recipients from one donor, serum and plasma collected from the donor were retrieved and tested. The samples tested positive for WNV IgM and IgG antibodies, but were negative for WNV RNA by PCR

Measles: General Information
by CDC
The disease of measles and the organism that causes it (a virus) share the same name. The disease is also called rubeola. Other rash-causing diseases often confused with measles are roseola (roseola infantum) and rubella (German measles), among others.

West Nile Virus Symptoms and Health Effects
by Health Canada
Canada had its first confirmed cases of West Nile (WN) virus in 2002. For most Canadians, the risk of illness from West Nile virus is low, and the risk of serious health effects is even lower.

Meningococcal Vaccine
by Health Canada
A new meningococcal vaccine has been licensed for use in Canada. It is recommended for children under five years of age, adolescents, and young adults. If you or your family members fall into these categories, you may want to talk to your doctor or health

Legionnaires' Disease and Pontiac Fever
by Health Canada
A bacterial infection called legionellosis is responsible for two distinct illnesses: Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia, which can occur in outbreaks. It varies in severity, and is sometimes fatal.

Crohn's Disease: New Experimental Treatment
by National Institute of Health
Crohn's disease didn't slow Jane down at first. Prescribed drugs subdued her symptoms. A bright and energetic teenager, Jane excelled in high school and was accepted to Cornell. But during her college career the medication stopped working.

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
by CDC
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) refer to a group of illnesses that are caused by several distinct families of viruses. In general, the term viral hemorrhagic fever is used to describe a severe multisystem syndrome multisystem in that multiple organ

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
by CDC
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease that presents as aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the membrane, or meninges, that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
by Health Canada
For most Canadians, the risk of getting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is extremely low. However, it is important to know the symptoms and risk factors of SARS, so you can take steps to minimize your risk.

Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever
by CDC
Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a rare, severe type of hemorrhagic fever which affects both humans and non-human primates. Caused by a genetically unique zoonotic (that is, animal-borne) RNA virus of the filovirus family, its recognition led to the creation

Filoviruses
by CDC
Filoviruses belong to a virus family called Filoviridae and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. So far, only two members of this virus family have been identified: Marburg virus and Ebola virus.

Measles - What you need to know
by CDC
Symptoms begin to appear about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. The infected person first experiences a fever lasting about 2 to 4 days that can peak as high as 103 degrees F to 105 degrees F. This is followed by the onset of cough, runny nose

Guard Your Fingers and Toes: The Threat of Raynaud's
by National Institute of Health
Hypothermia, frostbite, that pesky winter cold that seems to hang on until spring - these are typical health hazards when it's cold. But have you heard of Raynaud's phenomenon? Less well-known, it also strikes susceptible people in cold temperatures.

Make the Kidney Connection: Millions at Risk for Kidney Disease
by National Institute of Health
Do you know the main causes of kidney disease? If not, you're not alone. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading risk factors for chronic kidney disease, which affects nearly 20 million Americans.

Listen Up!: Coping With Hearing and Speech Problems
by National Institute of Health
Did you know that almost 42 million Americans suffer from a communication disorder - a problem with their speech, voice, language or hearing? That number includes people in all stages of life, but those most likely to be affected are the most vulnerable

History for Your Health: Collecting Family History to Prevent Disease
by National Institute of Health
Many people collect their family history for a hobby. Did you know it might help save your life, too? Your doctor can use your family's health history to help figure out your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, depression

Drought in Your Mouth?: An Overlooked Problem
by National Institute of Health
Dry mouth. It doesn't receive a great deal of attention. But if you're among the thousands of people who suffer from chronic dryness of the mouth, then you know how unpleasant, annoying and even dangerous it can be.