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, …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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. …
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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 …
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Mastoiditis in children and adults definition and facts Readers Comments 8 Share Your Story Mastoiditis in adults and children is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment. Mastoiditis (acute and chronic) is a bacterial infection of the mastoid cells in the mastoid bone, which is located just behind the ear. Mastoiditis can become serious if the infection spreads outside the …
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What is osteoarthritis? What is osteoporosis? Share Your Story Picture of a doctor showing an X-ray to a woman. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, and affects over 23 million Americans. The definition of osteoarthritis is degeneration of joint cartilage tissue and the underlying bone. The definition of osteoporosis is a medical condition that results in …
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