Swine flu is caused by a special strain of the influenza A virus called "H1N1."  It is called swine flu because pigs with "the flu" seem to be the original source of the virus.  This strain of the flu virus "learned" how to jump from pigs to humans.  Now that humans have become infected, the virus is passed from person-to-person.  Children as well as adults can get swine flu just as they can become infected with other more common forms of "the flu."  The major concern about swine flu (H1N1) is that most people have never encountered this strain of influenza.  Human immune systems have not had the time necessary to build a defense against swine flu.  Scientists and doctors are constantly evaluating the rates and severity of infection to determine how to respond to the worldwide spread of the illness (called a "pandemic").   Evaluation and treatment for swine flu is similar to that for the common flu.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of bacterial infections in children.  The most common "staph" infections are skin boils and abscesses.  Shortly after the development of penicillin-derivatives in the 1960's, some strains of Staphylococcus aureus were noted to be resistent to the effects of these antibiotics.  These "superbugs" were called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA for short, which is often pronounced "mersa" or "mursa").  MRSA was originally seen only in hospital or nursing home patients, probably because of the widespread use of antibiotics in these settings.  In the 1990's, MRSA began to be noticed in patients without any known risk factors.  These infections are called "community-acquired" MRSA infections.  MRSA infections range in widely in severity.  Most MRSA infections occur as mild skin or soft tissue infections that respond well to drainage and/or certain antibiotics.

Hypothyroidism is a disorder where the thyroid gland (located in the neck) does not produce enough thyroid hormone.  This may be caused by a defect of the thyroid from birth or more commonly is acquired later in life.  Hypothyroidism in children (not at birth) is commonly caused by an autoimmune disorder (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) in which the body causes the thyroid to become inflamed.  This inflammation damages the thyroid over months or years and eventually it loses its ability to make enough hormones for the body.  Thyroid hormone helps regulate the body's metabolism.  So when thyroid hormone is too low, the body begins to slow down.  Symptoms of hypothyroidism include slow heart rate, constipation, cold intolerance, weight gain, hair loss or coarse hair, dry scaly skin, and decreased energy.  Treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves taking a small pill daily.