Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) facts SARS causes a decrease in white blood cells and platelet (clotting cell) counts in the blood. SARS is the febrile "severe acute respiratory syndrome" that first appeared in 2003 and spread rapidly to more than two dozen countries across the world, infecting over 8,000 people and killing 774 before …

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) facts MERS-CoV is a type of coronavirus that spreads through respiratory secretions. MERS-CoV is a new novel coronavirus that caused severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) first identified in Saudi Arabia in September 2012. The infection appears to be the result of spread of the virus from camels to humans, resulting in limited person-to-person spread …

What is a hiatal hernia (definition)? Readers Comments 79 Share Your Story Hiatal hernia can cause esophageal pain. The esophagus connects the throat to the stomach. It passes through the chest and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. The term hiatal hernia describes a condition where the upper part of the stomach that …

Lassa fever facts Picture of Lassa fever virus structure Lassa fever is one of the hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and others. Unlike Ebola virus, Lassa fever is not as contagious person to person, nor as deadly. Lassa virus is typically transmitted by the urine or feces of Mastomys rats to humans. Health workers may be infected …

Salmonella food poisoning facts Salmonella bacteria cause food-borne illnesses. Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tract of humans and animals and are excreted in feces. Poultry, beef, milk, and eggs all can contain Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infection is a food-borne illness that occurs from consumption of raw meats and eggs, contaminated dairy foods such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or fruits …

Pulmonary hypertension definition and facts Pulmonary hypertension is elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries that carry blood from the lungs to the heart. Pulmonary hypertension is abnormally elevated pressure in the pulmonary circulation. The classification of primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension has been reclassified, and now is based on the main underlying disease or condition, symptoms, and treatment options for …

Porphyria facts* A health care provider diagnoses porphyria with blood, urine, and stool tests. *Porphyria facts medically edited by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Porphyria is a group of diseases that are due to the deficiency of one of the enzymes needed to make an important substance in the body called heme. Porphyrias are often classified as acute …

What is an occipital neuralgia headache? Readers Comments 10 Share Your Story Occipital neuralgia causes pain along the upper neck and the back of the head. Occipital neuralgia is a form of headache that causes pain along the upper neck and back of the head. The pain is in the distribution of the nerves known as occipital nerves (sensory nerves …

Lichen planus facts Lichen planus is a chronic recurrent skin disease of unknown cause with no established cure. Lichen planus generally affects adults and can involve any portion of the skin and lining tissue (mucous membranes) of the mouth and/or vagina, but it has a predilection for the wrists, ankles, and oral and genital tissues. Lichen planus is characteristically itchy. …

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) facts Share Your Story About 90% of women experience PMS symptoms at one point in their life. PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome is a set of specific physical and psychological features. Physical symptoms of PMS include breast tenderness and bloating. Psychological symptoms such as mood swings are common in PMS and may include anger and …