Viruses cause most diseases spread to people by mosquitoes. Malaria is caused by a parasite. Different mosquitoes carry different diseases. How common these illnesses are depends on where people live ...

Malaise and fatigue often go hand-in-hand and indicate a child is sick or about to become sick. Symptoms can start slowly or appear suddenly depending on the cause. They can be acute (short-lasting) ...

How Does the Brain Work? And How Does the Nervous System Work? How do you remember the way to your friend's house? Why do your eyes blink without you ever thinking about it? Where do dreams come from?

Earaches are common in kids and can have many causes. Here’s why they happen and what to do when your child complains of ear pain. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed to ease pain (check the ...

What Is a VP Shunt? A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a thin plastic tube that helps drain extra cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain. CSF is the saltwater that surrounds and cushions the brain ...

All kids 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine as soon as these are available in their communities in the fall. Some kids might need more than one dose ...

It’s normal for people to masturbate (touch or rub their own genitals because they like the way it feels). Some people do it to relieve stress or tension. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed ...

We see and hear about hearts everywhere. A long time ago, people even thought that their emotions came from their hearts, maybe because the heart beats faster when a person is scared or excited. Now ...

Sanfilippo (san-fuh-LEE-po) syndrome is a rare genetic metabolism disorder. A change in a single gene makes a child's body unable to break down certain carbohydrates (sugars). This leads to serious ...

What Is an Umbilical Hernia? An umbilical hernia happens when part of a child's intestines bulges through the abdominal wall inside the belly button. It shows up as a bump under the belly button. The ...

How Does Air Enter the Respiratory System? Air enters the respiratory system through the nose or the mouth. If it goes in the nostrils (also called nares), the air is warmed and humidified. Tiny hairs ...

Most blood tests take only a few minutes. They’re done at some doctor’s offices, and at community labs, diagnostic centers, and hospitals. A doctor, nurse, or phlebotomist (fleh-BOT-eh-mist, someone ...