A-Z of conditions and treatments

Some children acquire a heart problem after an illness in childhood, and this is called an acquired heart defect.

The heart is about the size of a clenched fist and lies in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood to the rest of the body as well as it should.

Many children have innocent heart murmurs that don?t require any treatment, but medical tests are often needed to check.

Recognising that your child has a mental health problem and seeking professional support are important first steps to take.

The best defence against Hendra virus is to avoid contact with an infected horse.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura causes a purple spotted skin rash which lasts around one to four weeks, and is often marked by relapses.

Hepatitis is an umbrella term for several diseases that affect the liver.

Immunisation is the best protection against hepatitis A infection and it is recommended for people in high-risk groups.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to serious illness or death.