What is tetanus? Children typically get the DTaP vaccine as part of their routine childhood vaccinations. Tetanus, sometimes called lockjaw, is a rare disease caused by bacteria known as Clostridium tetani. A toxin produced by the bacteria affects the function of the nerves and leads to severe muscle spasms in the abdomen, neck, stomach, and extremities. Tetanus can either be...
6 Gonorrhea in Women Symptoms, Treatment, Test & Prevention
Gonorrhea definition and facts Picture of Gonorrhea Bacterial Infection Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted during sexual activity. Gonorrhea is not transmitted from toilet seats. Women infected with gonorrhea may not have any symptoms. Common gonorrhea symptoms and signs include vaginal discharge and pain when a woman urinates. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Gonorrhea may cause pelvic inflammatory disease...
Do Babies Get Shots at Their 18-Month Checkup?
Babies may get a few shots at their 18-month checkup if they did not get them during their last checkup. Babies may get a few shots at their 18-month checkup if they did not get them during their last checkup. As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your baby may receive one or more of the following...
Does Skin Cancer Kill You?
What is skin cancer? Some types of skin cancer are potentially more dangerous than others. Skin cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of skin cells. Skin cancer usually arises on skin exposed to the sun, such as the face, lips, ears, scalp, neck, chest, arms and hands and on the legs, especially in women. Though more common in people...
Dislocated Shoulder Symptoms, Signs, Recovery Time & Treatment
Shoulder dislocation facts Picture of the shoulder joint The shoulder joints are the most commonly dislocated joints in the body. Approximately 25% of shoulder dislocations have associated fractures. Closed reduction, without the need for surgery, is the most common initial treatment. Medications may be required for sedation to help relax the muscles surrounding the shoulder and facilitate the reduction. Immobilization...
Domestic Violence Facts, Types & Effects
Domestic violence facts Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, dating violence, spousal abuse, and intimate partner abuse) is any form of maltreatment that takes place in a heterosexual or homosexual romantic relationship between adults or adolescents. Intimate partner abuse is a major public health problem, due to its affecting more than 2 million women and 800,000 men...
Symptoms of Drowning and Dry Drowning in and out of the Pool
Drowning facts and prevention The best treatment for drowning is prevention of causes. Drowning is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "…the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid." Drowning can be classified dry or wet, depending whether the voice box (larynx) goes into spasm and water is allowed to enter the lungs. Regardless...
Does weight gain stop after quitting smoking?
People may generally gain some extra weight after they quit smoking. People may generally gain some extra weight after they quit smoking. Gaining weight is considered to be a common side effect of smoking cessation. Usually, an individual may gain up to 10 pounds during the first few months. Weight gain after quitting smoking is attributed to various factors: Inducing increased...
Does Stress Make HS Worse?
HS is a chronic skin condition that causes painful bumps in areas such as the groin, axilla, buttocks and under the breasts. Yes, stress can make hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) worse. Yes, stress can make hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) worse. The anxiety that comes with the unexpected nature of flare-ups can increase your stress and the stress can, in turn, cause flare-ups....
Apheresis: Facts on Platelet Donation Procedures
What is apheresis? Apheresis is a medical procedure that involves removing whole blood from a donor or patient and separating the blood into individual components so that one particular component can be removed. The remaining blood components then are re-introduced back into the bloodstream of the patient or donor. Apheresis is used for the collection of donor blood components (such...