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• Strep Test: Throat Culture

  Is your child having a strep test or a throat culture? Find out how these swab tests are done.

• Urine Tests

  Is your child having a urine culture or urinalysis performed? Find out why urine tests are done and what to expect when a doctor orders one.

• Chlamydia

  Chlamydia is an STD caused by bacteria. It's important to know the symptoms, as treatment can prevent the infection from leading to other health problems.

• Genital Herpes

  Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that's usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

• Genital Warts (HPV)

  Genital warts usually are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which also can lead to cervical cancer and other types of cancer. A vaccine can prevent HPV infection.

• Gonorrhea

  Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms. They can spread the infection to others without knowing it.

• HIV and AIDS

  Parents can help prevent HIV/AIDS by learning the facts and talking with their kids regularly about healthy behaviors, feelings, and sexuality.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

  Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection of the female reproductive organs that may cause severe symptoms, minor symptoms, or no symptoms at all.

• Pubic Lice (Crabs)

  Pubic lice are six-legged creatures that infest the hair in the pubic area. Pubic lice infestation is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but it can be contracted in other ways.

• STDs

  Parents should learn about the most common STDs, how they spread, and how they're diagnosed and treated.

• Athlete’s Foot

  Athlete's foot is a common fungal skin infection. It's generally easy to treat and prevent.

• Diaper Rash

  Diaper rash is a very common infection that can cause a baby's skin to become sore, red, scaly, and tender. In most cases, it clears up with simple changes in diapering.

• Fighting Germs

  Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa can cause disease. Here's how to help protect your family from germs.

• Infections That Pets Can Spread

  Kids can benefit from the companionship, affection, and relationships they share with pets. But it's important to know how to protect your family from infections carried by pets and other animals.

• Jock Itch

  Jock itch is a pretty common fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. It is generally easy to treat and prevent.

• Oral Thrush

  Oral thrush, a very common infection in infants that causes irritation in and around the baby's mouth, often goes away on its own without medical treatment.

• Pneumocystis Pneumonia

  Pneumocystis pneumonia can affect infants who have AIDS, cancer, or other conditions that affect the immune system.

• Ringworm

  Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection. The good news is that ringworm is easy to treat.

• Tinea Versicolor

  Tinea versicolor is a rash caused by a fungus. It can appear over the chest, shoulders, and back, and is a common cause of skin rashes in teens.

• The COVID-19 Vaccine

  Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Find answers here!

• Flu Center

  Learn all about protecting your family from the flu and what to do if your child gets flu-like symptoms.

• Do My Kids Need Vaccines Before Traveling?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Wound Healing and Care

  How well a wound heals depends on where it is on the body and what caused it. Good home care is an important part of healing.

• First Aid: Chickenpox

  Chickenpox (varicella) has become less common in the U.S. due to the chickenpox vaccine, but it can easily spread from one person to another.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Being Ready to Quarantine

  People who have a coronavirus (COVID-19) infection or are around someone who has it should stay home to prevent spreading the virus. Here's how to prepare to quarantine or isolate at home.

• Mosquito-Borne Diseases

  Mosquito-borne diseases are illnesses spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

• Tick Removal: A Step-by-Step Guide

  Boy, your child's freckles really stand out in the sun — yikes, that one is actually a tick! What should you do?

• West Nile Virus

  The threat of West Nile virus has made getting a mosquito bite a cause for concern. What is West Nile virus, and what can you do to prevent it?

• Flying and Your Child’s Ears

  That weird ear-popping sensation is a normal part of air travel. Here's how to help equalize the air pressure in your child's ears to prevent or decrease ear pain.

• How to Handle a Cough

  Coughing is a healthy reflex that helps clear the airways. Many coughs are caused by viruses that just need to run their course.

• Is It a Cold, the Flu, or COVID-19?

  The flu usually makes kids feel worse than if they have a cold. But it's not always easy to tell the difference. Here are tips on what to look for — and what to do.

• How to Take an Axillary (Armpit) Temperature

  The axillary (armpit) method is a convenient way to take a child's temperature, especially for kids who can't hold a thermometer in their mouths. Here's how to do it.

• How to Take an Oral Temperature

  Taking an oral temperature is easy in an older, cooperative child. Most kids can have their temperature taken this way when they’re about 4–5 years old. Here's how to do it.

• When and Where to Get Medical Care

  Should you head to the ER when your child is hurt or ill? What about an urgent care center? Different problems need different levels of care, and you have many options.

• Taking Your Child’s Temperature

  All kids get a fever from time to time. Find out about taking your child's temperature, safely and accurately.

• Fever (High Temperature) In Kids

  Fevers happen when the body's internal "thermostat" raises the body temperature above normal. This is often the body's way of fighting infections.

• How to Take a Rectal Temperature

  The best way to take a temperature in infants and young children is by taking a rectal temperature. Here's how to do it.

• Does My Child Need an Antibiotic? (Video)

  Antibiotics are powerful medicines that can help kids feel better -- but only when they have certain illnesses. Find out if an antibiotic is right for your child.

• How to Safely Give Acetaminophen

  What kind? How much? How often? Find out how to give this pain and fever medicine.

• How Many Doses of Flu Vaccine Does My Child Need?

  Knowing the doctor-recommended flu vaccination schedule can be confusing. Use this tool to help you understand how many doses your child needs.

• Pneumonia

  Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of germs, most commonly viruses. Read about symptoms and treatment.

• Can Kids Get a COVID-19 Vaccine Along With the Flu Vaccine?

  It's safe for kids to get a COVID-19 vaccine along with any other routine vaccine, including the flu vaccine.

• Vaccines & Antibiotics: A Safe Combo?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Your Child’s Immunizations

  Immunizations protect kids from many dangerous diseases. Find out what vaccines your child needs to grow up healthy.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Protect Babies and Toddlers

  Here's how parents can help protect their babies and toddlers from coronavirus (COVID-19).

• How Vaccines Help: Common Questions

  Vaccines protect kids from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about what they are, how they work, and what they do.

• How Can I Comfort My Baby During Shots?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Immunization Schedule

  Which vaccines does your child need and when? Use this immunization schedule as a handy reference.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Pregnancy FAQs

  We're learning more every day about coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are some answers to questions about coronavirus and pregnancy.

• Group B Strep and Pregnancy

  Women who have this common but potentially dangerous bacteria while pregnant get antibiotics during labor to avoid passing the bacteria to their babies.

• 5 Things to Know About Zika and Pregnancy

  Zika virus, spread by mosquitoes, is the cause of a serious birth defect. Here are 5 things to know about Zika and pregnancy.

• Is it Safe to Breastfeed if I Have the Flu?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Is it Safe to Breastfeed if I Have Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  Moms who have coronavirus (COVID-19) can still breastfeed their babies or give expressed breast milk. Here's what to know.

• Vaginal Yeast Infections

  Vaginal yeast infections are common among growing girls, and can cause some pain and discomfort. They usually clear up quickly with proper medical treatment.

• Vaginitis in Children

  Vaginitis is redness, soreness, or swelling in and around the vagina. It's common in girls of all ages, and usually can be treated at home.

• Talking to Your Kids About STDs

  Your kids need to understand how STDs spread and how to protect themselves. Here's how to talk to them about sexually transmitted diseases.

• Acanthosis Nigricans

  Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a condition that causes the skin to thicken and darken in places. AN is not harmful or contagious, but can be a sign of certain other medical conditions.

• A to Z: Yeast Infection

  See: Candidiasis.

• Bronchitis

  Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. When a person has bronchitis, it may be harder for air to pass in and out of the lungs.

• Coughing

  Coughs are a common symptom, but most aren't a sign of a serious condition. Learn about different coughs, how to help your child feel better, and when to call your doctor.

• Osteomyelitis

  Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can happen when germs enter an open wound. The easiest way to prevent it is to keep skin clean.

• Peritonsillar Abscess

  Older kids and teens with tonsilitis sometimes develop this painful abscess, a pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth.

• Ear Tube Surgery

  Many kids get middle ear infections (otitis media). Doctors may suggest ear tube surgery for those with multiple infections or a hearing loss or speech delay.

• Ears

  Hearing may be the ears' main job, but it's not all they do. Learn all about the ears in this Body Basics article.

• How to Give Your Child Ear Drops

  Tips for parents on getting drops into a child's ear.

• Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Related Conditions

  Recurrent urinary tract infections can cause kidney damage if left untreated, especially in kids under age 6. Here's how to recognize the symptom of UTIs and get help for your child.

• Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)

  Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is the most common eye infection affecting kids. Learn more about pinkeye and how to prevent it from spreading.

• Quick Video Summary: Treating Tear-Duct Blockage (Tear Duct Massage)

  Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. If your child has a blocked tear duct, your doctor may show you how to massage the eye several times a day at home for a few months. Massaging can help open the blockage.

• Quick Video Summary: Treating Tear-Duct Blockage (Tear Duct Probe)

  Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. A common procedure called a tear duct probe can open the blockage.

• Lyme Disease

  Lyme disease can affect the skin, joints, nervous system, and other organ systems. If Lyme disease is diagnosed quickly and treated with antibiotics, most people feel better quickly.

• Stomachaches

  Kids can have stomach pain for lots of reasons - not all of them related to the digestive system. Here are some clues about what could be going on.

• Tapeworm

  Tapeworms are usually more upsetting to think about than to deal with. Tapeworm infections are rare in the United States, and they're usually easy to treat.

• Diarrhea

  Most kids battle diarrhea from time to time, so it's important to know what to do to relieve and even prevent it.

• Immunizations and IBD

  Vaccines are safe to give to kids and teens with IBD and won't make their symptoms worse. Here are the ones they need.

• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

  PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is when someone takes medicines every day to lower his or her chances of getting HIV.

• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

  Eczema can be an itchy nuisance and cause scratching that makes the problem worse. Many kids who have eczema today will be over it by the time they're teens.

• Hives (Urticaria)

  Has your child broken out in welts? It could be a case of the hives. Learn how to soothe itchy bumps and help your child feel better.

• Inflammation

  Inflammation is one way the body reacts to infection, injury, or other medical conditions. Many things can cause it.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

  Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) causes inflammation throughout the body. Doctors are trying to find out how these symptoms are related to coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.