Thrombocytopenia (pronounced “THROM-bo-sigh-toe-PEE-ne-ah”) occurs when your bone marrow doesn’t make enough platelets. Platelets are blood cells that form blood clots to help stop bleeding. If you have thrombocytopenia, you may bleed a lot, and the bleeding may be hard to stop. Thrombocytopenia often affects people with certain medical conditions, like autoimmune disease or who take certain medications. Healthcare providers typically treat thrombocytopenia by treating the underlying …

A yolk sac tumor — also called an endodermal sinus tumor — is a cancer that forms in cells that eventually become eggs or sperm. A type of germ cell tumor, yolk sac tumors usually start in either your ovaries or testicles. But in rare cases, these masses form in places other than your reproductive organs. Although they’re rare overall, yolk sac tumors are the most …

Types of encephalitis Condition types include infective encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis. Infective encephalitis includes: Viral encephalitis: This is the most common form of encephalitis. You can develop viral encephalitis after having certain infectious diseases or viruses. Arbovirus encephalitis: Mosquitos, fleas and ticks can spread infections that can become encephalitis. Bacterial or fungal encephalitis: Encephalitis from bacterial or fungal infections is the least common type …

Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. It can occur with conditions that affect the immune system, especially autoimmune encephalitis. Autoimmune epilepsy also is known as autoimmune associated epilepsy and acute symptomatic seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis. The immune system protects the body from viruses, bacteria and other …

Trachoma is an eye disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection can cause irreversible blindness. It’s an issue in poor and rural areas throughout the world with poorer hygiene, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and problems with crowding. How common is trachoma? In 2020, there were an estimated 32.8 million people in the world treated with antibiotics for trachoma, …

SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-1) was a respiratory illness that spread in many countries around the world in 2002 and 2003. For many people, SARS caused flu-like symptoms (like fever and headache), but it progressed to severe illness in about 10% to 20% of people during the outbreak. More than 8,000 people in 29 countries had SARS during the …

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction that results from having too much serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical produced by nerve cells in your brain and other areas of your body. Most people can safely take serotonin-affecting (serotonergic) medication when it’s prescribed at the appropriate dosage and under the guidance of their healthcare provider. Serotonin syndrome …

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by your body’s overwhelming response to an infection. Without urgent treatment, it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sepsis definition Sepsis is your body’s extreme reaction to an infection. When you have an infection, your immune system works to try to fight it. But sometimes your immune system stops fighting the infection and starts damaging …

Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that affects children and adults. It causes a person to feel excessive fear or anxiety when separated from a close attachment figure or anticipating separation. The fear and anxiety are out of proportion to the situation and not developmentally appropriate. A child’s attachment figure is usually a parent but can be anyone they’ve bonded …

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a protein found in the blood. It protects the body against infections in the membranes (thin tissues) that line the airways, eyes, mouth and digestive system. People with selective IgA deficiency don’t have this protein or have very low levels (deficiency) of the protein. Selective IgA deficiency is an immunodeficiency disease (a disease that involves a lack …