Information about Zika virus and advice on travelling to an affected area. Overview Zika virus disease is mainly spread by mosquitoes. For most people it’s

All you need to know about pregnancy, birth and looking after a baby, including trying to get pregnant, foods to avoid, antenatal care, breastfeeding and

Your NHS Choices guide to cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. It includes information on risks, what to expect and what to do if something

Find out about the different methods of contraception (to prevent pregnancy) available on the NHS, plus where to get them and how to decide which

Find out about yellow fever, including how it’s spread, where it’s found, what the symptoms are, how it’s treated, and the yellow fever vaccine. Overview

Read about how X-rays work, why they’re used, what happens before, during and after an X-ray, and what the risks are. Overview An X-ray is

Most worm infections are not serious and can be easily treated with medicine. Find out what different types of worms look like, when to get

Find out about the symptoms of whooping cough, who’s at risk, when to get medical advice, and how it’s treated. Overview Whooping cough (also called

Find out about whiplash, how it happens, what the symptoms are and how it can be treated. Overview Whiplash is a neck injury caused by

Find out what you can do to help if you see someone having a seizure or fit. Overview If you see someone having a seizure

Read about West Nile virus (WNV), a virus spread by mosquitoes that is found in many countries around the world. Overview West Nile virus (WNV)

Weight loss surgery is sometimes used as a treatment for people who are very obese. It can lead to significant weight loss and help improve

Find out about watering eyes, which can occur if too many tears are produced or they cannot drain away properly. Overview Watering eyes are common

Read about warts and verrucas, which are small lumps on the skin. Find out what causes warts and verrucas, how they’re treated and when to

Read more about the symptoms, causes and treatments of vulval cancer, which is a rare type of cancer that affects women. Overview Cancer of the

Find out about uveitis, a rare condition that causes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea or uveal tract. Overview

Find out when your urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) should\r\nbe measured. ACR values can help identify kidney disease that occurs as a complication of

Read about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a method of pain relief that involves the use of a mild electrical current. Overview Transcutaneous electrical nerve

Read more about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which is a problem affecting the \”chewing\” muscles and the joints between the lower jaw and the base of

Read about temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis), a condition where arteries, usually in the head and neck, become inflamed. Find out what the symptoms are,

Find out what soft tissue sarcomas are, what symptoms they can cause and how they’re treated. Overview Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare

Read about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a highly contagious, serious and potentially life-threatening form of pneumonia. Overview SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is caused

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that causes small patches of red and swollen tissue, called granulomas, to develop in the organs of the body. Overview

Find out when to get medical advice if you have a red eye, and read about the most common causes. Overview A red eye is

Find out why you might need to have a red blood cell (RBC) count and what the results could indicate. Overview A red blood cell

Find out about Raynaud’s phenomenon, a common condition that affects the blood supply to certain parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes. Overview

Find out about Q fever, a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected farm animals, its symptoms and what to do if

Read more about premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is the name for the symptoms women can experience in the weeks before their period. Overview PMS (premenstrual

Find out about faulty PIP breast implants, including why they are banned, and the latest safety information on removal and replacement. Overview PIP breast implants

Find out about positron emission tomography (PET) scans and how these three-dimensional images of the inside of the body can be used. Overview Positron emission

Read about orf, a viral skin disease that can be spread to humans by handling infected sheep and goats. Overview Orf is a viral skin

Read more about oral thrush, which is usually harmless. It’s common in babies and older people with dentures. It can be easily treated with medicines

Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects a baby’s oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach). Overview

Read about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a widely used medicine for relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and bringing down a high temperature (fever). Overview Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

Find out about the different types of screening offered by the NHS in England. Overview Screening is a way of finding out if people have

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. Overview WHAT IS AN NHS HEALTH CHECK? The NHS Health

Find out what MRSA is, how you get it, what the symptoms are, and how it’s treated. Overview MRSA is a type of bacteria that’s resistant to several

Ménière’s disease is a rare disorder that affects the inner ear. It can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside

MCADD is a rare genetic condition where a person has problems breaking down fat for energy. Read about the symptoms, causes and outlook. Overview MCADD

A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test measures the amount of LDH in the blood. Overview A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test measures the amount of LDH in

Read about labyrinthitis (also known as vestibular neuritis or vestibular neuronitis), including advice about symptoms, when to get medical help and treatment. Overview Labyrinthitis is

Read about labial fusion. This is when the small inner lips around the entrance to the vagina become sealed together. It’s fairly common in girls

Sudden knee pain is often caused by overusing the knee or injuring it. Find out what you can do to treat it yourself and when

Read about keratosis pilaris, which is a common, harmless condition where the skin becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples. Overview

Read about Kaposi’s sarcoma, a rare type of cancer caused by the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) virus. It affects the skin, mouth and sometimes the

Find out what causes jet lag and what you can do to reduce its effects. Get plenty of rest before you travel and try adjusting

Find out what to do after a sea creature sting. You can usually use first aid, but call 999 for an ambulance if there are

Find out about jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow. It’s caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin.

Find out about impetigo, a skin infection that’s very contagious but not usually serious. Read about the symptoms and when to get medical help, plus

Find out about ichthyosis, a condition that causes widespread and persistent thick, dry, \”fish-scale\” skin. Overview Ichthyosis is a condition that causes widespread and persistent

Read about ibuprofen, a painkiller available over the counter without a prescription. Overview Ibuprofen is a painkiller available over the counter without a prescription. It’s one

Hair loss can have many causes. Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss. Find out when to see a GP and what treatments

Reactions to hair dye are avoidable if you follow some simple safety advice. This page offers advice to anyone who uses permanent or semi-permanent hair

Overview Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterial infection that can cause a number of serious illnesses, particularly in young children. Hib infections used to

Overview A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled swelling that usually develops near a joint or tendon. The cyst can range from the size of a pea

What is Gallbladder Cancer? Gallbladder cancer is a cancer that’s found anywhere in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ in the top part

Overview Febrile seizures (febrile convulsions) are fits that can happen when a child has a fever. They most often happen between the ages of 6 months and 3

Overview Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Falls are a

Overview Fainting is when you pass out for a short time. It is not usually a sign of something serious, but if it happens regularly

Overview Early menopause happens when a woman’s periods stop before the age of 45. It can happen naturally, or as a side effect of some

Overview Earache and ear pain is common, particularly in young children. It can be painful, but is not usually a sign of anything serious. HOW

Overview Ear infections are very common, particularly in children. You do not always need to see a GP for an ear infection as they often

Overview DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in a vein, usually the leg. DVT can be dangerous. Get medical help as soon as

Overview Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose (nasal congestion). They can help ease the symptoms

Overview Dandruff is a common skin condition. It’s not harmful and you cannot catch it. CHECK IF IT’S DANDRUFF The flakes are often more noticeable

Overview A computerised tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. CT scans are sometimes referred to

Overview Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding

Overview A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. The cut is usually made across your

Overview Bad breath (sometimes called halitosis) is very common. You can usually treat it yourself. HOW TO TREAT BAD BREATH YOURSELF The best way of

Overview Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of unusual vaginal discharge. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your

Overview Back pain is very common and usually improves within a few weeks or months. Pain in the lower back (lumbago) is particularly common, although it

Overview An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It’s also sometimes known as a termination of pregnancy. The pregnancy is ended either by

Overview An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down through

Key facts   The average age of menopause diagnosis in the UK is 51 years although this varies by ethnicity It is estimated that 20

What’s the Best Sunscreen for your Skin? Sunburn is known to increase the chance of getting skin cancer and it does not only occur whilst travelling.

Thursday 1st September sees the launch of Urology Awareness Month 2022.   Urology Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness of urological diseases