Diseases & Health Conditions
Educational information about diseases, symptoms, and related treatments
Scabies
Overview Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.
Scarlet fever
Overview Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive...
Schizophrenia
Overview Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition. It causes a range of different psycholo...
Sciatica
Overview This information may be useful for those who have been diagnosed with sciatica. People who...
scoliosis
Overview Scoliosis is the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can develop at any...
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Overview Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern. The...
Self-harm
Overview Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. Self-harming has be...
Sepsis
Overview - About sepsis - Symptoms of sepsis - Treating sepsis About sepsis What is sepsis? Sepsis...
Septic shock
Overview Septic shock is a life-threatening condition that happens when your blood pressure drops to...
Severe head injury
Overview Severe head injuries need urgent medical assessment as there’s a risk of serious permanent...
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
Overview Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that are found in the environment, food, and the in...
Shigella
Overview Shigella is a bowel infection that can cause severe diarrhoea. It’s caused by bacteria call...
Shingles
Overview Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It’s caused by the varicella-zo...
Shortness of breath
Overview It’s normal to get out of breath when you’ve overexerted yourself. But when breathlessness...
Sickle cell disease
Overview - About sickle cell disease - Symptoms and diagnosis - Treating sickle cell disease - Li...
Sinusitis
Overview Sinusitis is inflammation (redness and swelling) of the sinuses. The sinuses are small, air...
Sjogren’s disease
Overview - About Sjogren’s disease - Symptoms of Sjogren’s disease - Causes of Sjogren’s disease - D...
Skin cancer
Overview - What is skin cancer? - Symptoms of skin cancer - Risk factors for skin cancer - Diagnosin...
Skin light sensitivity (photosensitivity)
Overview Skin light sensitivity (photosensitivity) means you have an unusual reaction to light. This...
Skin rashes in children
Overview Childhood rashes are common and are often nothing to worry about. This page covers some com...
Slapped cheek syndrome
Overview Slapped cheek syndrome (also called fifth disease or parvovirus B19) is a viral infection....
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) in children and young people
Overview Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is a condition that can affect your child’s hip join...
Snapping hip in children and young people
Overview Snapping hip is common in active children and young people.
Social anxiety disorder
Overview Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a long-term and overwhelming fear of...