Health Topics
January 13, 2023
My MedlinePlus Newsletter Discontinued
The My MedlinePlus newsletter was discontinued as of December 31, 2022. Find trusted, reliable health information written for consumers from the NIH News in Health newsletter and the NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. Follow MedlinePlus on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Here are other ways you can learn of new content added to MedlinePlus:
- Check this What's New page
- MedlinePlus offers several general interest RSS feeds as well as RSS feeds for every health topic page on the site. Subscribe to any of these feeds in your favorite RSS reader.
January 4, 2023
MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus En Español Homepages Refreshed
The MedlinePlus and MedlinePlus en español homepages will be refreshed in early January and we encourage you to visit. Changes include:
- Addition of a "Welcome to MedlinePlus" feature in order to follow U.S. Health and Human Services recommendations for homepages to "clearly and prominently communicate the purpose and value of the web site on the homepage"
- Removal of discontinued links and outdated features
- Rearrangement of icons linking to content to improve navigation and reduce clutter
October 26, 2022
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections (RSV)
Information on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections (RSV) has been updated. For the latest information, check out the health topic.
September 24, 2022
New Medical Test Added to MedlinePlus
A new medical test is available on MedlinePlus:
Parainfluenza tests diagnose four common viruses that cause respiratory illnesses, including croup and bronchitis.
September 22, 2022
New Health Topic Added to MedlinePlus
A new health topic was added to MedlinePlus:
Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID)
Anyone who had COVID-19, whether is was severe or mild, can have long-lasting symptoms. Learn more about Post-COVID conditions (long COVID), including symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and prevention.
August 11, 2022
Help Me Understand Genetics Pages Available in Spanish
Help Me Understand Genetics is now available in Spanish: Cómo entender la genética
These pages are an introduction to fundamental topics related to human genetics, including illustrations and basic explanations of genetics concepts.
August 4, 2022
Genetic Pages Available in Spanish
Four new chapters of Help Me Understand Genetics are now available in Spanish:
- Genetics and Human Traits (Genética y rasgos humanos): Are dimples inherited? Are moles genetic? Discover the answers to more questions about genetics and human traits.
- Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing (Pruebas genéticas directas al consumidor): Learn about at-home genetic testing. Topics include how to choose a test, risks and benefits, testing costs and more.
- Genomic Research (Investigación genómica): Learn about genomic research. Topics include pharmacogenomics, gene editing, and more.
- Precision Medicine (Medicina de precisión): Explore topics that focus on how genetics can impact healthcare.
May 11, 2022
Genetic Pages Available in Spanish
The Gene Therapy and Other Medical Advances chapter of Help Me Understand Genetics is now available in Spanish: Terapia genética y otros avances médicos
This chapter covers topics including what is gene therapy and how it works. Also discusses the ethical issues surrounding gene therapy and available treatments.
February 23, 2022
Genetic Pages Available in Spanish
The Genetic Consultation and Genetic Testing chapters of Help Me Understand Genetics are now available in Spanish: Consulta genética and Pruebas genéticas
These chapters cover topics including why might someone have a genetic consultation and what happens during a genetic consultation. Also, the different types of genetic testing, and how is genetic testing done.
October 20, 2021
Genetic Page Available in Spanish
The Inheriting Genetic Conditions chapter of Help Me Understand Genetics is now available in Spanish: Herencia de condiciones genéticas
This 10 page chapter covers topics including different types of genetic inheritance, family health history, and heritability.
October 7, 2021
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Fourteen new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
- Antibody Serology Tests
- Diabetes Tests
- Dysphagia Tests
- STD Tests
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Screening
- Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor Tests
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- Heart Disease Risk Assessment
- Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count
- Red Blood Cell (RBC) Indices
- Total Protein and Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Myasthenia Gravis Tests
- Chymotrypsin in Stool
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Tests
September 21, 2021
New Genetic Pages
Two new pages have been added to MedlinePlus Genetics:
Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes
Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) are a group of conditions that have overlapping signs and symptoms and the same genetic cause. Generally, CAPS are characterized by periodic episodes of skin rash, fever, and joint pain.
Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome type 2
Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome type 2 is a condition that causes episodes of fever, skin rash, and joint pain. These episodes can be triggered by exposure to cold temperatures, or they may arise without warning, and they can last a few hours to several days.
August 24, 2021
Genetic Page Available in Spanish
A MedlinePlus Genetic page is now available in Spanish: How Genes Work (Cómo funcionan los genes)
Curious about genes and how they work? Learn all about genes, proteins, cell division, and more.
August 12, 2021
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
August 3, 2021
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
July 20, 2021
Genetic Page Available in Spanish
A MedlinePlus Genetic page is now available in Spanish: Variants and Health (variantes y la salud)
Curious about gene mutations and how they impact health? Learn how different mutations affect health and development.
July 14, 2021
New Genetic Page
A new page has been added to MedlinePlus Genetics: What are the different types of genetic tests
Many types of genetic tests are available to analyze changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. A health care provider will consider several factors when selecting the appropriate test.
May 6, 2021
Genetic Page Available in Spanish
A MedlinePlus Genetic page is now available in Spanish: Cells and DNA (Células y ADN)
Discover the basics of cells, DNA, genes, chromosomes and how they work.
April 16, 2021
New Genetic Page
A new page has been added to MedlinePlus Genetics: What are mRNA vaccines and how do they work?
Scientists have developed a new type of vaccine that uses a molecule called messenger RNA (or mRNA for short) rather than part of an actual bacteria or virus. mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein. Using this mRNA blueprint, cells produce the viral protein, which triggers an immune response.
March 10, 2021
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
December 10, 2020
New Genetic Page
A new page has been added to MedlinePlus Genetics: Terminal osseous dysplasia
Terminal osseous dysplasia is a disorder primarily involving skeletal abnormalities and certain skin changes. Explore symptoms, inheritance, genetics of this condition.
November 18, 2020
MedlinePlus Social Media Toolkit
MedlinePlus Social Media Toolkit is now available.
Share these MedlinePlus resources on your social media or other communication channels to connect your community to high-quality, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted and easy to understand, in both English and Spanish.
November 10, 2020
New Health Topics
Two new topics have been added to MedlinePlus:
Learn about the different types of tests for COVID-19, who needs a test, and how and where you can get a test.
Currently there is no approved vaccine for COVID-19 in the United States. Learn about the vaccines that are being developed and tested, and how you can enroll in a clinical trial.
October 27, 2020
New Genetic Pages
Two new pages have been added to MedlinePlus Genetics:
Learn about the signs and symptoms, causes, and inheritance of MN1 C-terminal truncation syndrome and learn how changes in the MN1 gene are related to this condition.
October 22, 2020
New Health Topic
A new topic has been added to MedlinePlus: Vaccine Safety
Vaccines protect you and your family from disease. Learn about vaccine safety in the United States. It includes a thorough process of testing and evaluating vaccines before they can be approved.
October 2, 2020
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Twelve new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
September 24, 2020
New Health Topic
A new topic has been added to MedlinePlus: Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing
To avoid becoming infected by germs from surfaces and objects, it is important to wash your hands often. It’s also important to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces and objects. Learn the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing.
September 2, 2020
Genetics Home Reference has become part of MedlinePlus.
Information from Genetics Home Reference is now available in the “Genetics” section of MedlinePlus.
The Genetics Home Reference pages included in MedlinePlus cover more than 1,300 genetic conditions and 1,475 genes, all of the human chromosomes, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Also included is a richly illustrated genetics primer, Help Me Understand Genetics, which offers basic explanations of how genes work and how mutations cause disorders, as well as current information about genetic testing, gene therapy, genetics research, and precision medicine.
August 13, 2020
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
June 27, 2020
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
May 27, 2020
New Health Topic Added
A new health topic has been added to MedlinePlus:
May 5, 2020
New Health Topics Added
Two new health topics have been added to MedlinePlus:
April 16, 2020
New Health Topic
A new topic has been added to MedlinePlus: How to Improve Mental Health
March 20, 2020
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Nine new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
February 25, 2020
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
February 20, 2020
New Coronavirus Testing Page
Concerned about a coronavirus? Find out when you may need testing, what happens during a test, and what the results may mean with our new Coronavirus Testing page.
January 30, 2020
Coronavirus Information Updated
The health topic Coronavirus Infections has been updated and includes new CDC information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
December 10, 2019
New Health Topic
A new topic has been added to MedlinePlus: HIV: PrEP and PEP
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) are HIV prevention methods where medicines are prescribed before (pre) or post (after) there is exposure to HIV. Discover more about treatment as prevention.
December 4, 2019
PDF Fact Sheet Added
The new Learn about MedlinePlus page is now available in a printable PDF Fact Sheet.
November 19, 2019
Spanish Health Topic Added
The health topic, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, is now available in Spanish: Hidradenitis supurativa
November 13, 2019
MedlinePlus Has Retired the How to Write Easy-to-Read Health Materials page in English and Spanish.
Guides for creating health materials for a general audience are available from the National Institutes of Health, the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and others. We encourage you to explore these resources via the MedlinePlus topic on Health Literacy.
November 8, 2019
About MedlinePlus: New and Updated Information
We have expanded and updated our information about MedlinePlus! Highlights include:
- New pages for general information about MedlinePlus, using MedlinePlus, and information for web developers.
- A message from NLM Director Dr. Patricia Flatley Brennan
- A new overview of MedlinePlus (with a printable PDF version coming soon)
- New citation format examples
- Updated guidelines for selection of links for MedlinePlus
- Updated resources for trainers and librarians
- Expanded guidelines for linking to and using content from MedlinePlus
- More information about how content on MedlinePlus is reviewed and updated
To streamline this area of MedlinePlus, we have discontinued the FAQs, awards and recognition page, milestones page, bibliography, and MedlinePlus tour. When applicable, these links have been redirected to related content on MedlinePlus.
As always, we welcome your feedback. Please use the “Customer Support” button at the top of any page to submit a comment or question.
October 3, 2019
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Three new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus
September 27, 2019
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Fifteen new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Test
- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Isoenzymes Test
- Ammonia Levels
- Prolactin Levels
- Ceruloplasmin Test
- Natriuretic Peptide Tests (BNP, NT-proBNP)
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test
- Lactic Acid Test
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone
- Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA) Test
- Cord Blood Testing and Banking
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Liver Function Tests
- Creatinine Test
September 13, 2019
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Five new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
August 30, 2019
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Five new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus:
August 28, 2019
Health Topics Name Changes
The following health topics have new topic names:
- Drug Abuse → Drug Use and Addiction
- Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse → Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- Pregnancy and Substance Abuse → Pregnancy and Drug Use
- Prescription Drug Abuse→ Prescription Drug Misuse
- Opioid Abuse and Addiction → Opioid Misuse and Addiction
- Opioid Abuse and Addiction Treatment→ Opioid Misuse and Addiction Treatment
August 22, 2019
New Medical Tests Added to MedlinePlus
Ten new medical tests are now available on MedlinePlus
August 15, 2019
New Page on MedlinePlus for All of Us Research Program Participants
Current and future participants of the NIH All of Us Research Program can now access trusted, understandable health information from MedlinePlus all in one place.
August 14, 2019
Welcome to the What's New page
This page will provide regular information about news, changes, and updates to MedlinePlus.