Scarlet Fever Scarlet fever is caused by an infection with group A streptococcus bacteria (usually strep throat). The bacteria make a toxin (poison) that can cause the scarlet-colored rash that gives this illness its name. Not all streptococci bacteria make this toxin and not all kids are sensitive to it. Two …
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Toxic Shock Syndrome
About Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious but uncommon infection caused by either Staphylococcus aureus (often called staph) and Streptococcus pyogenes (often called strep) bacteria, with most cases related to staph bacteria. TSS was originally linked to the use of tampons because the earliest cases, in …
Vitiligo
Whether fair, dark, or any shade in between, most kids have skin that is generally the same color all over their body. But this isn’t the case for those with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a loss of skin pigment, or color, that causes white spots or patches to appear on the …
Warts
About Warts Many of us have had a wart somewhere on our bodies at some time. Other than being a nuisance, most warts are harmless and go away on their own. Warts are skin infections caused by viruses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. They’re more common in kids than …
Chlamydia
About Chlamydia Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. When transmitted through sexual contact, the bacteria can infect the urinary and reproductive organs. The term chlamydia typically refers to the STD Chlamydia trachomatis, although two other types of this bacteria also can lead to illness: Chlamydia …
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that’s usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), although it also can be caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), which normally causes cold sores around the mouth. In some cases, genital herpes causes blisters and pain in the …
Genital Warts (HPV)
Genital warts are warts that are on or near a person’s genital areas. They’re caused by a group of viruses called human papillomavirus (HPV), which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There are many types of HPV, and more than 40 types cause genital warts. A vaccine for people 9 to 26 years old is approved …
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can also be transmitted from pregnant mothers to their babies at birth. Gonorrhea most commonly affects teens and young adults. Experts believe that hundreds of thousands of cases go undetected and untreated because the infection …
HIV and AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most serious, deadly diseases in human history. It causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by infecting and damaging part of the body’s defense against infection — its lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells in the immune system that are supposed to fight off invading germs. HIV …
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection of the female reproductive system that can develop from an untreated sexually transmitted disease (STD). In most cases, it occurs when bacteria from the STD in the vagina or cervix move into the uterus and upper genital tract. The most common organisms …