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Herpes simplex virus (HSV), or herpes, is a common sexually transmitted disease in the US. It can be divided into two different types: HSV type 1 (HSV-1) or HSV type 2 (HSV-2). While HSV-1 is usually transmitted through oral contact, causing oral herpes, HSV-2 is...

Food sensitivity occurs when the body is introduced to a specific food that causes an immune reaction. This normally takes place in the digestive system and is usually due to problems with digestive enzymes or sensitivities to food additives. Symptoms include...

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck that makes two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are carried to every part of the body, where they are used for energy, warmth, and organ function. If the thyroid...

Did you know the heart beats around 2.5 billion times over the average person’s lifetime? This second-most-important organ consistently pushes blood to every part of the body. But when the heart begins to fail, whether due to genetic inheritance, infection, or...

Contact lenses are prescription medical devices used to correct vision without changing the person’s appearance. They are regulated by the FDA’s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and consist of two types of lenses: hard contacts and soft contacts....

Let’s look at both peanut allergy and peanut sensitivity.Peanut allergy is a common food allergy in both children and adults. The allergy is typically life-long, with only 20 percent of children outgrowing it. When a person with a peanut allergy is exposed to...

Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease and is usually acquired through direct contact with a syphilis sore during sex. There are four stages of the disease: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has different symptoms, and lack of...

Adults blink about 12 times per minute. This automatic eye movement helps prevents dry eyes by providing the necessary moisture to replenish the precorneal tear-film and prevent the cornea from drying out. Many people struggle with chronic dry eyes because they...

If you have been trying to conceive for 6 months or more without success—especially if you are in your 30s—it’s probably time to evaluate your fertility.Infertility can be caused by a variety of factors. Male infertility accounts for a third of the...

Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation, which can affect its overall function. Substances such as toxins, heavy alcohol usage, and medical conditions can all cause hepatitis. However, often it’s due to a virus.Hepatitis B is an incurable liver infection caused...

Dry eye is a condition in which there’s a decrease in tear production or the tears evaporate quickly. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as eye fatigue, age, computer use, illness, etc. Tear production is important because it keeps the eyes lubricated...

Whole cow’s milk is composed of 87% water and 13% protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, and vitamins. Lactose is the main carbohydrate and is broken down by the enzyme lactase into glucose and galactose before it can be absorbed. However, some people are unable...