MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was built as an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.
MedlinePlus presents high-quality, easy to understand, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted.
Q
What are bacteria? Bacteria are tiny organisms (living things) that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They ...
What are ticks? Ticks are small parasites. They may look like insects, but they have eight legs and are related to spiders. Ticks feed on the blood of ...
When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes ...
Your child's health includes physical, mental and social well-being. Most parents know the basics of keeping children healthy, like offering them healthy ...
What is the common cold? The common cold is a mild infection of your upper respiratory tract (which includes your nose and throat). Colds are probably ...
Cosmetics are products you apply to your body to clean it, make it more attractive, or change the way it looks. They include: Hair dyes Makeup Perfumes Skin-care ...
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is an illness caused by a virus. This virus is a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. It spreads when a person who has the infection ...
What is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome or an extra piece of a chromosome. This extra copy changes ...
What are germs? Germs are microorganisms. This means that they can be seen only through a microscope. They can be found everywhere - in the air, soil, and ...
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)? A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. It usually happens when a blood clot breaks loose and ...
What is sickle cell disease (SCD)? Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. If you have SCD, there is a problem with ...
As a teenager, you go through many changes. Your body is on its way to becoming its adult size. You may notice that you can't fit into your old shoes or ...
Most young children get sick. It is hard for parents to know what is serious. You can learn what the common warning signs are. In the end, trust your intuition. ...
An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of ...
Zika is a virus that is spread mostly by mosquitoes. A pregnant mother can pass it to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. It can spread ...
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community include people who are: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer or Questioning Intersex Asexual Elsewhere on the gender and ...