Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «S»:
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Swimmer's ear
Swimmer's ear is inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. The medical term for swimmer's ear is otitis externa.
This article discusses acute swimmer's ear. See also: Swimmer's ear - chronic
Causes
Swimmer's ear is fairly common, especially among teenagers and young ad...
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Swimming pool granuloma
A swimming pool granuloma is a long-term (chronic) skin infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium marinum.
Causes
A swimming pool granuloma occurs when water containing Mycobacterium marinum bacteria enters a break in the skin. A skin infection occurs about 3 weeks later.
Risks include exposur...
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Swine flu (H1N1) - what to ask your doctor - adult
Swine flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and (sometimes) lungs caused by the H1N1 virus.
Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse to help you prevent or take care of the swine flu.
Questions
What are the symptoms of the swine flu?
Will I have a fever? How high? How l...
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Swine flu (H1N1) - what to ask your doctor - child
Swine flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and (sometimes) lungs caused by the H1N1 virus.
Below are some questions you may want to ask your child’s doctor or nurse to help you take care of your child.
Questions
What are the symptoms of the swine flu?
Will my child have a fever? How hig...
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Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are found throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germs, infections, and other foreign substances.
The term "swollen glands" refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes.
In a child, a node is considered e...
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Sydenham chorea
Sydenham chorea is a movement disorder that occurs with rheumatic fever.
Causes
Sydenham chorea is one of the major signs of acute rheumatic fever. It is discussed here separately because it may be the only sign of rheumatic fever in some patients.
Sydenham chorea occurs most often in girls before ...
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Symptomatic
Symptomatic can mean showing symptoms, or it may concern a specific symptom. Symptoms are signs of disease or injury and are usually noticed by the patient.
Many conditions and diseases have symptoms. A cough can be a symptom of an upper respiratory infection.
When someone has the common symptoms as...
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Synovial biopsy
A synovial biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue lining a joint. The tissue is called the synovial membrane.
How the Test is Performed
The test is usually done in the operating room with the use of arthroscopy.
The health care provider will inject a numbing medicine (local anesthetic) into the...
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Synovial fluid analysis
Synovial fluid analysis is a group of tests that examine joint (synovial) fluid. The tests help diagnose and treat joint-related problems.
How the Test is Performed
A sample of synovial fluid is needed for this test. Synovial fluid is normally a thick, straw-colored liquid found in small amounts in...
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Syphilis
Syphilis is infection with the bacteria Treponema pallidum.
Causes
Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infectious disease. The bacteria that cause it spread through broken skin or mucous membranes.
Pregnant mothers infected with the disease can pass it to the baby developing in their womb. This is c...
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Syphilis - primary
Syphilis is a frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted disease.
Causes
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. This bacteria causes infection when it gets into broken skin or mucus membranes, usually of the genitals. It is most often tra...
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Syphilis - secondary
Secondary syphilis is the second stage of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis. This stage is the most contagious.
Causes
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has three main stages:
Primary syphilis
Secondary syphilis
T...
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Syphilis - tertiary
Tertiary syphilis is a late phase of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
Causes
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
Syphilis has three main stages:
Primary syphilis
Secondary syph...
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Syphilitic aseptic meningitis
Syphilitic aseptic meningitis is a complication of untreated syphilis that involves inflammation of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. The condition is marked by changes in mental status and problems with nerve function.
Causes
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, infectious disease cau...
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Syphilitic myelopathy
Syphilitic myelopathy is a complication of untreated syphilis that involves muscle weakness and abnormal sensations.
Causes
Syphilitic myelopathy is a form of neurosyphilis, which is a complication of late or tertiary syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, infectious disease. For i...
