Anthrax

Anthrax is a bacterial infection. The bacteria is sometimes found in soil and infects animals more often than humans. However, the bacteria that causes anthrax can also be used as a weapon in terror attacks. The illness is severe and life-threatening. Learn more

Bacterial Endocarditis

When the inner lining of the heart or the valves of the heart get infected by an organism, the condition is known as bacterial endocarditis. Learn more

Botulism

Botulism is an illness caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum that normally live in the soil, dust and cooked agricultural products. Learn more

Cat Scratch Disease

As the name implies, cat scratch disease is an infection that occurs after being scratched or bitten by a cat or fleas that were on a cat. Learn more

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes itchy spots (rash) in children who haven’t had the disease or been vaccinated against it. Learn more

Chyluria

Lymph fluid is the fluid that is collected from around tissues that flows into lymphatic capillaries from which it is transported through bigger vessels to lymph nodes before emptying into one of the big veins of the neck where it mixes with the bloodstream. When fluid from the lymphatic system leaks into the kidneys and turns the urine a milky color, this rare condition is known as chyluria. Learn more

Congenital Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus is a virus that causes a number of concerning symptoms in infants, but may be carried in adults without them even being aware of it. When a mother passes the virus to her unborn baby, and the baby is born with symptoms of the disease, this is known as congenital cytomegalovirus. Learn more

Congenital Hepatitis B

Congenital hepatitis B is a viral infection of a baby’s liver which occurs when a pregnant women infected with HBV passes the virus onto her unborn infant. Learn more

Congenital Herpes Simplex

It is the condition caused by the Herpes simplex virus. It is the virus that can be transmitted sexually or by direct skin contact and causes genital sores and other symptoms in adults. Learn more

Congenital HIV

HIV is a potentially dangerous viral infection that can ultimately lead to AIDS if left untreated. When the virus is passed to an unborn fetus by the mother, this is known as congenital HIV. Learn more

Congenital Rubella

Rubella is a virus that causes a disease commonly known as the German measles. When the virus is passed to an unborn fetus by the mother, this is known as congenital rubella. Learn more

Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes a disease commonly known as the toxoplasmosis. When the parasite is passed to an unborn fetus by the mother, this is known as congenital toxoplasmosis. Learn more

Congenital Varicella

Congenital varicella can occur after a mother is infected with chickenpox (the varicella zoster virus) early in pregnancy. The virus is passed to the unborn fetus, ultimately leading to congenital varicella. Learn more

Croup

Croup refers to a contagious infection of the upper breathing passages that irritates, inflames, swells and obstructs the upper airways of babies and young children, between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Learn more

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that, once contracted, stays in the body for life. If contracted in-utero it is the most common cause of congenital deafness. When acquired after birth it rarely causes symptoms, but people with weakened immune systems or infants infected with the virus can have problems. Learn more

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that causes several symptoms, the most serious of which is a thick film of material that covers the back of the throat and causes breathing problems. Learn more

Disorders of the Facial Nerve and Skull Base

The Facial nerve emerges from the brainstem through the side of the skull to control the muscles of the face, and to transmit taste sensations from the tongue and mouth. All disorders are categorized by unusual movement, weakness or paralysis of all or part of the face. Learn more

Ear Infection

An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear (the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the little bones that transmit the sound vibrations from the eardrum). Learn more

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious viral infection that causes inflammation in the brain, or encephalitis. Learn more

Empyema

The pleura are the smooth coverings between the lungs and the chest wall. Usually they are in close contact with only a small space and a little lubricating fluid between them (pleural space). When this space fills with pus, it’s known as an empyema. Learn more

Epstein Barr

Epstein Barr is the name of the virus that most often causes Infectious mononucleosis, though it can also cause other illnesses. Learn more

Fever

Fever is when the body's temperature goes above what is considered a normal temperature. Fever is usually the body’s response to fight an infection. Learn more

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is a mildly/moderately contagious viral infection spread by respiratory droplets that presents as a red rash, commonly in school aged children, usually in the spring and winter. Learn more

Flu and H1N1

Flu is a very common, highly contagious, often severe viral illness that affects the respiratory airways that occurs during the winter months. The influenza virus has a number of types called A, B and C. A and B cause epidemics, while type C usually causes no or mild respiratory tract symptoms. Influenza viruses continually change which means every year many children’s (and adults’) immune systems are not equipped to manage it. Learn more

Gastrointestinal Parasites

When the gastrointestinal tract, most often the intestine, is infected by a parasite, this is often referred to as gastrointestinal parasites. If not treated some parasites may linger for many years and cause long term problems Learn more

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is spread through sexual contact. It can cause symptoms that impact the sexual organs as well as other areas of the body. Learn more

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

When the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves of the body, usually following a gastrointestinal or respiratory tract infection, the group of diseases that result is known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Learn more

Haemophilus Influenzae Infections

Haemophilus influenzae infections refer to a variety of problems that are all caused by the Haemophilus influenzae bacteria. They can impact everything from the ear to the brain and bloodstream. Learn more

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-mouth disease is a viral infection that tends to impact young children. The symptoms are mild and, as the name implies, affect the hands, feet and mouth with the development of skin blisters. The disease is contagious and can be passed from child to child. Learn more

Herpes

Herpes is a disease that affects the skin i.e., mouth, lips and face or the genitals. The symptoms typically involve sores that appear on the body and develop into itchy and painful blisters. Learn more

HIV/AIDS

HIV is a virus that can destroy the body’s immune system. Over time and without treatment, the virus can cause AIDS, a life-threatening illness that occurs when the body’s immune system is greatly compromised. Learn more

Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection in the USA (yearly, half occur among adolescents/young adults); it is most frequently spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner (though it can be spread at the time of infant delivery or by non-sexual skin-to-skin routes which is the frequent mode of spread in children). Learn more

Human Parainfluenza Viruses

Human parainfluenza viruses are viruses that cause illnesses similar to the common cold in most cases, though they are different kinds of viruses. In people with weakened immune systems, however, the illnesses can be life-threatening. Learn more

Infectious Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is a viral infection that is common among adolescents and young adults. It is often called the kissing disease because it can be spread through the saliva, though it can be transmitted in other ways, as well. Learn more

Kawasaki Disease

When inflammation occurs in the coronary arteries and other medium-sized arteries throughout the body, the condition is known as Kawasaki disease. Learn more

Lymphadenopathy

Lymph nodes are bean shaped organs found in the axilla, neck, groin, chest and abdomen that act as filters for lymph fluid as it circulates around the body. When these glands become swollen and enlarged, the condition is known as lymphadenopathy. Learn more

Malaria

Malaria is an infection from a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It’s more common in tropical parts of the world. If left untreated, the disease can be life-threatening. Learn more

Measles

Measles is a viral infection characterized by a fever, cough and a full-body rash. The pre-rash part of the illness can resemble most upper viral infections. The disease has become increasingly rare in the United States and worldwide thanks to widespread measles vaccinations but in the last 2 years there have been more cases described in the US than the previous years in children whose families have refused vaccination. Learn more

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the linings that cover the spinal cord and the brain. Learn more

Meningococcal Infections

Meningococci are a form of bacteria that can cause severe infections in the human body. They are responsible for sepsis that impacts the bloodstream and infection of the brain linings referred to as meningitis. Learn more

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a mild non-malignant (benign) viral infection of the skin, spread by direct person-to-person contact or by contact with contaminated objects. Learn more

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis is a viral infection that is common among adolescents and young adults. It is often called the kissing disease because it can be spread through the saliva, though it can be transmitted in other ways, as well. Learn more

Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that affects the parotid glands. Learn more

Neonatal Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Neonatal hepatitis is a liver inflammation that occurs in early infancy; frequently between 1-2 months of age from, and in 20% of infants from a virus that infects the liver, passed during pregnancy (or soon after) from mother to baby. Learn more

Osteomyelitis

When a bone in the body becomes infected, the condition is known as osteomyelitis. Learn more

Pertussis

Pertussis is a very contagious bacterial disease that affects all ages but is particularly worrying in infants < 1 year of age. Learn more

Plague

The plague still exists today, but it is extremely uncommon in the US, less than 10-15 cases per year. There has not been cases of Florida reported Plague cases in many years. Plague is easier to treat now with common antibiotics than in the early 1900s when it was deadly. Learn more

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral infection. People can contract the illness if they are bitten by an animal that is infected with the virus that causes rabies. Learn more

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an illness that that can be transmitted from a tick bit. Though the illness was first discovered in the Rockies, it can actually occur in a number of different locations. Learn more

Roseola

Roseola is a viral infection that frequently affects children between the ages of six months and two years. It’s characterized by a respiratory symptoms, a high fever and a rash. Learn more

Rotavirus Infections

Rotavirus infections are viral infections that mainly cause digestive symptoms. The illness caused by rotavirus is known as gastroenteritis and primarily affects children before the age of 5. Learn more

Rubella

Rubella is a viral infection that is similar to the measles, in that it causes a bodily rash and fever. Learn more

Scabies

Scabies is a skin condition caused by a tiny insect known as a human itch mite. The disease occurs when the mite burrows into the skin and begins feeding. Learn more

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is a complication that sometimes occurs along with strep throat. The primary symptom is a red rash that covers a good portion of the body. It most often occurs in children between ages 5 and 15. Learn more

Sepsis

Sepsis is a complication that can occur in the body’s bloodstream as the result of an infection. Learn more

Septic Arthritis

When an infection of a joint in the body causes arthritis-like symptoms, this is known as septic arthritis. Learn more

Smallpox

Smallpox is a dangerous viral infection. It was eradicated globally in the 1980s due to the widespread distribution and use of immunizations. In most cases, children are currently not immunized for smallpox due to the low risk of developing the disease now. Learn more

Staphylococcal Syndrome

Staphylococcal syndrome is a skin condition also known as scalded skin syndrome. It’s due to toxins released by the Staphylococcus bacteria. Learn more

Strep Throat

group A streptococcal infection. Learn more

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can occur when a deep cut comes in contact with a contaminated surface. It can result in a serious complications called lockjaw among other symptoms. Learn more

Thrush Candidiasis and Yeast Infections

Thrush is the term used for a common mouth infection caused by the yeast-like fungus called Candida Albicans (yeast infections can also occur in other parts of the body like the diaper area of the baby, vagina, digestive or urinary tracts). Learn more

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, which are a pair of oval-shaped pads that rest at the back of the throat. Tonsillitis can cause a number of problematic symptoms and tends to recur in many people. Learn more

TORCH

TORCH (or TORCH syndrome) is the short term used to describe a group of diseases that are passed from mother to baby during pregnancy (congenital). The “letters” stand for Toxoplasmosis, Other (such as syphilis, mumps, HIV, parvovirus, chickenpox virus and other viruses), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex. Learn more

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite. In many people, it causes no symptoms at all or flu-like symptoms. But it can cause serious problems in babies or people with compromised immunity. Learn more

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually. Both men and women can acquire the disease, but it usually only causes symptoms in women. Learn more

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. Learn more

Urinary Tract Infection

The body’s urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. When an infection does occur in the urinary system, it is known as a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Learn more

Varicella-Zoster Virus

Varicella-zoster virus is the virus that causes both chickenpox and shingles. Chickenpox can occur upon initial infection with the virus, while shingles tends to occur later in life when the dormant virus that caused chickenpox reactivates. Learn more

Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a number of viruses which can damage or destroy liver cells. Learn more

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is a disease that was only recently discovered in the United States. It usually causes mild symptoms but can cause severe problems if it affects the brain. It is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Learn more

Zika Virus

Zika virus is an illness caused by infected mosquitoes. It occurs mostly in tropical areas but has recently made some appearances in the United States. It often causes no symptoms or mild symptoms but can be dangerous if pregnant women become infected. Learn more