Diseases & Health Conditions
Educational information about diseases, symptoms, and related treatments
Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is an illness caused by bacteria, and it mostly affects children. Its most recognisabl...
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition. It causes several different psychological sympto...
Sciatica
This information may be useful for those who have been diagnosed with sciatica. People who are exper...
scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side more than it should. It can s...
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder, usually shortened to SAD, is a form of depression that follows the seas...
Self-harm
Self-harm is when somebody deliberately damages or injures their own body. It has been described as...
Sepsis
Sepsis is a serious complication of an infection. If it isn't treated quickly, it can lead to failur...
Septic shock
Septic shock is a life-threatening condition. It happens when, after an infection, your blood pressu...
Severe head injury
A severe head injury needs urgent medical assessment, because there's a risk of serious permanent br...
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, in food, and in the intestines of...
Shigella
Shigella is a bowel infection that can cause severe diarrhoea. It is caused by bacteria called shige...
Shingles
Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. It is caused by the varicella-zoster vir...
Shortness of breath
It's normal to feel out of breath after pushing yourself physically. But if breathlessness starts su...
Sickle cell disease
About sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of blood disorders. The most s...
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is when the sinuses become inflamed, meaning they turn red and swollen. The sinuses are sm...
Sjogren’s disease
This page covers the following about Sjogren's disease: about the condition, its symptoms, its cause...
Skin cancer
What is skin cancer? Symptoms of skin cancer. Risk factors for skin cancer. Diagnosing skin cancer....
Skin light sensitivity (photosensitivity)
Skin light sensitivity (photosensitivity) means your skin reacts to light in an unusual way. When th...
Skin rashes in children
Rashes in children are common and usually nothing to worry about. Here we look at some of the common...
Slapped cheek syndrome
Slapped cheek syndrome, which is also called fifth disease or parvovirus B19, is a viral infection....
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) in children and young people
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis, or SUFE, is a condition that can affect your child's hip joint. You...
Snapping hip in children and young people
Snapping hip is a common problem among children and young people who are physically active.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a long-term and overwhelming fear of social s...