Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Archive

Explore what doctors know about Bell’s palsy triggers, from stress to viral infections and diabetes, and why pinpointing a cause is tricky

Ringworm is a common, contagious skin infection caused by a fungus. Children can get it from other people who have it or from an infected animal. While it can be itchy and unpleasant, ringworm is usually harmless.

A new breast lump can be alarming, but not all require immediate surgery. A doctor will determine the appropriate next steps, which may include medical tests.

Guidelines recommend that women starting hormone therapy do so before age 60 and within 10 years of menopause onset. Starting later may raise the risks of heart attack, stroke, or dementia. Women who start hormone therapy at 70 or older face even greater cardiovascular risks.

Most people with early-stage Lyme disease symptoms develop a rash, but it often lacks bull’s-eye features—which many people have been told to look for. Other signs of Lyme disease include headache, neck pain, joint aches, and fatigue.

Cold baths and ice packs may feel instinctive when a fever hits, but most cases call for a different approach.

It’s possible for people of any age to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are sometimes symptom-free, making them easy to miss, pass along, and ignore.

A 2026 study suggested that women who consistently stay active throughout middle age have a significantly lower risk of dying early than peers who are inactive.

A new, tender lump in a man’s breast doesn't necessarily mean cancer. But it should not be ignored. Gynecomastia is one possible cause, but there are others.

An elevated lymphocyte count usually indicates a simple viral illness. Less often, it could indicate a blood cancer. How the number is calculated shapes what it may mean.