Diseases and illnesses
Here you can find health information and resources, for yourself or someone you care about, on common diseases and illnesses.
In this section
- People with asthma have over-sensitive airways that react to triggers that don't affect other people. Read more
- In this section you can find information on New Zealand’s five most common cancers. There is also information on palliative care, which is care and support for people with a life-limiting illness that cannot be cured. Read more
- Chickenpox is a very contagious (catching) disease. The virus is spread through the air by infected people when they sneeze or cough, and by touching the chickenpox blisters then touching objects or other people. Read more
- If you or a family member has a cold, it means you have a virus that is affecting your head and chest, including your nose, throat, sinuses and ears. Read more
- Croup is a childhood illness that is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold and infect the upper airways. Learn about types of croup, when it's serious, and self-care you can carry out at home. Read more
- Diabetes is a disease where your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, the chemical needed to control your blood sugar levels (blood glucose). There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 2 is associated with obesity, and is preventable. Read more
- Find out what you can do to avoid getting sick from a food or water-borne disease or parasite. Read more
- Hand-foot-and-mouth disease can be a mild or a very serious illness. It is caused by a virus. Read more
- Heart (cardiovascular) disease is when your heart or blood vessels aren’t working properly. Heart disease can include angina and heart attacks. Read more
- Influenza – or the flu – is a virus that spreads quickly from person to person. Symptoms include fever, chills, aches, runny nose, a cough and stomach upset. Immunisation is your best defence against the flu. Read more
- Kidney disease stops your kidneys from cleaning your blood properly and can lead to kidney failure. Find out if you are at risk of chronic kidney disease, and how to prevent or slow down further damage. Read more
- Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be life threatening. Find out what the symptoms are and how immunisation can protect you and your family. Read more
- Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause two very serious illnesses: meningitis and septicaemia. Because it can develop very quickly, you need to be aware of the symptoms and get medical help straight away. Read more
- Rheumatic fever is an illness that can result from untreated ‘strep throat’. It can lead to rheumatic heart disease, which is life-threatening and can cause serious heart damage. If you or your child has a sore throat it is important to seek medical assistance. Read more
- Scabies are small mites that burrow under the skin, causing a very itchy rash. Read more
- Shingles is an infection that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. You can only get shingles if you've had chickenpox in the past (usually as a child). Read more
- If you have a stroke, the blood supply to your brain is cut off. After a few minutes without oxygen and food from your blood, your brain begins to suffer damage. Read more
Page last updated: 16 December 2011
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