Health Topics A-Z

Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that pass from person to person through sexual contact involving the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus.

Shingles is a disease that triggers a painful skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin — the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.  The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma is much less common than the other types but much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Sleep apnea is a common condition in which your breathing stops and restarts many times during sleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen.

Smell and taste disorders can reduce quality of life, alter eating habits, and signal serious underlying health conditions.

Spina bifida is a birth disorder in which the spine doesn’t fully develop during early pregnancy. Each person with spina bifida has different abilities and health challenges.

Stroke is a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of adult disability.

Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition of sounds, syllables, or words; prolongation of sounds; and interruptions in speech known as blocks.

Substance use disorders are chronic, treatable medical conditions that involve compulsive seeking and use of alcohol or other drugs, despite harmful consequences. Substance use disorders range in severity from mild to severe.