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Definition Mumps is an infection caused by a type of virus called a paramyxovirus. It is very contagious and spread in saliva, the same way as a cold or flu. This means it can be caught from an infected person coughing, sneezing, etc. It can also be caught from touching …

Definition Marburg virus disease is a severe disease that causes haemorrhagic fever in humans and animals. Diseases that cause haemorrhagic fevers, such as Marburg, are often fatal as they affect the body’s vascular system (how blood moves through the body). This can lead to significant internal bleeding and organ failure. …

Definition Macular degeneration is a common, painless eye condition in which the central portion of the retina deteriorates and does not function adequately. There is no cure for macular degeneration, but it can be treated with vitamins, laser therapy, medications, and vision aids. Epidemiology of macular degeneration The AMD had …

Definition Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin lining of the body’s internal organs, known as the mesothelium. As the word malignant implies, it is a deadly disease that often has a poor prognosis.   Malignant mesothelioma forms in the thin layer of tissue that …

Definition Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can also form in your eyes and, rarely, in internal organs, such as your intestines. Melanoma History Although melanoma is not a new disease, …

Definition Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono is transmitted through saliva, so you can get it through kissing, but you can also be exposed through a cough or sneeze, or by sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono. …

Definition Multiple sclerosis is a disease that involves an immune-mediated process that results in an abnormal response in the body’s immune system that damages central nervous system (CNS) tissues in which the immune system attacks myelin, the substances that surrounds and insulate nerves fibers causing demyelination that leads to nerve …

Definition Myotonic dystrophy is an inherited type of muscular dystrophy that affects the muscles and other body systems. People who have myotonic dystrophy have muscle wasting and weakness in their lower legs, hands, neck and face that get worse over time. Signs and symptoms of myotonic dystrophy usually develop when …