Mumps is a viral infection that has become rare since the introduction of a routine vaccination. It is usually spread through tiny droplets of spit that are released into the air when talking, coughing or sneezing. Typical symptoms include swelling on one or both sides of the face and flu-like symptoms. Sometimes it can also cause inflammation in organs.

Rubella usually goes unnoticed or only causes mild cold-like symptoms. Later, a pink or red spotty skin rash might develop. If a woman has rubella early on in pregnancy, it can lead to serious organ damage in the unborn child. Having a rubella vaccine early enough can prevent that risk.

The coronavirus is on everyone’s mind right now. Many people are finding out about it on the internet or from sharing on social networks. There is a lot of good information on the internet – but unfortunately plenty of misinformation as well. Read about finding good-quality information on the coronavirus.

Many people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are completely taken by surprise – for instance, if high blood sugar levels are discovered during a routine blood test. Some can reduce their blood sugar by changing their diet and losing some weight. Others have to take medication over the long term.

Pregnant women are often surprised to find out they have gestational diabetes because it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. But this type of diabetes, which develops during pregnancy (gestation), increases the risk of certain rare birth complications. Read about the possible effects of high blood sugar in pregnancy, how doctors diagnose it, and what women can do about it.

Sneezing and a sore throat are often the very first signs you are getting a cold. Once your nose has become stuffy, you may feel weak and generally ill. Unlike influenza (the flu), colds are harmless, and effective relief is available for the bothersome symptoms.

If young children have a cold and the area around their larynx (voice box) becomes inflamed, it's known as croup. The typical symptoms include a barking cough, a raspy sound when breathing in (stridor), and slight breathing difficulties. If the symptoms don't go away on their own or if the breathing difficulties get worse, steroid medication can help.

Breaking a fall with your hands can sometimes lead to a wrist injury. If the wrist joint is overstretched or bent too far, the joint capsule, ligaments and bones may become damaged. Although wrist injuries are painful, they often get better within a few weeks. Surgery is only rarely needed.

Red skin, visible blood vessels and pus-filled spots on the face are all typical symptoms of rosacea – a common facial skin inflammation. Read about the treatment options and how to find out what could be triggering rosacea flare-ups.

In epilepsy, the brain or certain parts of the brain are too active. Some people have their first seizure in childhood, while others have their first seizure in older age. Medication can help to prevent seizures and maintain a good quality of life.

Pain at the front of the knee is usually caused by overuse. It is especially common in people who do a lot of sports, such as running, mountaineering or cycling.  It’s important to rest the knee at first. Certain exercises can help to stabilize the kneecap and relieve the pain.

When a kneecap is dislocated, it comes out of the groove that it normally fits into. This is painful and may look frightening. It mainly happens during sports. Conservative treatment is typically used if it’s the first time. Surgery is considered if it happens again.

Minor injuries to our skin usually heal quite quickly on their own. But some wounds close very slowly, keep on opening up, or don’t heal at all. Doctors consider a wound to be chronic if it doesn’t heal. This usually happens because of circulation problems or diabetes.

Parkinson's disease is a disease of the nervous system. It typically occurs in old age and reduces the person's ability to move. Parkinson’s usually progresses slowly and can be treated effectively for a long time. Read about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and everyday life with this condition.

Doctors can usually diagnose scarlet fever quite easily based on the typical rash and a dark-red tongue, sometimes referred to as a “strawberry tongue.” Serious complications are very rare nowadays: Because scarlet fever is caused by bacteria, it can easily be treated with antibiotics.

Impetigo is an itchy and sometimes painful infection of the outer layers of skin. It is more common in young children. Antibiotics are often used to make it go away faster. Impetigo is highly contagious and caused by bacteria.

What happens in a woman’s body in the time leading up to menopause? What symptoms might accompany the hormonal changes, and how can they be relieved? Read about the menopause, hot flashes and women's wellbeing during this phase of life.

Depression is a common medical condition. People who have depression feel like they've fallen into a deep, dark hole for weeks or months, and often can't see any way out. Psychotherapy and medication are the two main treatment approaches. Relaxation techniques and physical exercise can be a useful addition, helping people to feel better.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a non-infectious skin condition. It leads to scaly patches of skin with oily dandruff-like flakes, especially on the face and scalp. It is more common in men. The symptoms come and go in more severe and less severe phases. But certain creams and shampoos can relieve the symptoms.

Amblyopia is a common vision problem in children. It is caused when one eye provides sharper images than the other eye does. Because the brain prefers to use the images from the "better" eye, the child's vision doesn’t develop normally.

Most people start noticing the effects of presbyopia in their mid-forties: It becomes harder to see close-up things clearly. For instance, you have to start holding books further away in order to be able to read them. Although there are no effective treatments for the causes of presbyopia, its effects can easily be corrected.

Whether you are outside biking or doing DIY projects at home – it’s easy for small objects to get into your eye. There, they can injure the surface of the cornea. A superficial injury will usually heal within a few hours or days. How can you remove an object from your eye? And when should you see a doctor?

Inflamed, painful joints and decreased mobility may be signs of rheumatoid arthritis, but they could be caused by osteoarthritis too. Read about the typical signs of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the causes, outlook and treatment options.

Many people associate wisdom teeth with "being pulled," a bruised and swollen cheek, and an ice pack. Removing wisdom teeth is usually unpleasant and may cause side effects. But do they always need to be pulled, even if they aren't causing any problems?

Allergies arise if the body's immune system overreacts to substances (allergens) that are usually harmless, such as pollen. The symptoms are sometimes quite mild, but they can also be a real nuisance and have a considerable impact in everyday life. There are various treatment options for allergies.

Most people associate slipped discs with sudden, severe back pain. But slipped discs usually go unnoticed and do not need to be treated. What happens if it is painful, and how can you tell whether it would make sense to see a doctor?

If you feel like everything is spinning around you and rocking from side to side, you probably have vertigo. Vertigo can occur while standing, walking or lying down. The most common form is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It is caused by deposits in the organ of balance inside the ear. Two simple treatments can help.

The newly identified coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading in Germany and the rest of the world. It can cause a fllu-like disease. Washing your hands frequently, keeping distance from others and exercising caution when you sneeze or cough are the most important things you can do to keep the virus from spreading so rapidly.

If you regularly put a lot of strain on a tendon, for instance when doing sports or certain work-related activities, it might become sore. Tendon overuse injuries often occur in the shoulders and elbows. In the legs, they mainly affect the knees and the Achilles tendons. It’s important to rest the sore tendon at first and then do stretching exercises so it can get used to strain again.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in men. But it is also one of the types of cancer with the best chances of recovery. It often grows slowly so it is generally possible to treat it effectively. Read about the risk factors, screening tests, diagnosis and treatment options.