This list includes 33 Diseases that start with F, from “Fabry Disease” to “Furuncle (Boil)”. It highlights infections, genetic disorders, inflammatory and skin conditions. Use it for quick lookups, study, or initial clinical orientation.
Diseases that start with F are medical conditions whose common English names begin with the letter F. For example, Fabry disease carries a 19th-century namesake from a dermatologist who first described it.
Below you’ll find the table with Disease, Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors, Treatments, Notes, and Sources.
Disease: You see the standard disease name, plus common synonyms or clarifying notes in parentheses.
Symptoms: Key signs and symptoms condensed to two to four items, so you quickly recognize common presentations.
Causes & Risk Factors: Primary causes and top risk factors summarized in one to two lines to give context for likely origin.
Treatments: Typical first-line treatments and management options, plus notes on when to seek specialist referral or urgent care.
Notes: Short clinical or classification notes, such as subtype, chronicity, or red flags, to guide your next steps.
Sources: Links to authoritative references, guidelines, and review articles so you can follow up on diagnosis and management.
Diseases that start with F
| Disease | ICD code(s) | Key symptoms | Primary cause / Risk factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabry Disease | E75.2 | Pain in hands/feet, skin rash, decreased sweating, kidney problems. | Genetic mutation in GLA gene causing enzyme deficiency. |
| Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia | D68.51 | Often no symptoms until a blood clot; deep vein thrombosis (DVT). | Inherited mutation of the F5 gene, increasing blood clotting risk. |
| Familial Adenomatous Polyposposis | D12.6 | Hundreds of colon polyps, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain. | Inherited mutation in the APC gene; autosomal dominant inheritance. |
| Familial Hypercholesterolemia | E78.0 | Very high cholesterol from birth, yellow skin deposits (xanthomas). | Genetic mutations (LDLR, APOB, etc.) impairing cholesterol removal. |
| Familial Mediterranean Fever | E85.0 | Recurrent fevers, painful inflammation of abdomen, chest, or joints. | Genetic mutations in the MEFV gene causing autoinflammatory attacks. |
| Fanconi Anemia | D61.09 | Short stature, bone marrow failure, physical abnormalities, increased cancer risk. | Inherited mutations in genes responsible for DNA repair. |
| Fascioliasis | B66.3 | Fever, abdominal pain, nausea, enlarged liver. | Infection with parasitic flatworms (liver flukes) from contaminated plants. |
| Fatal Familial Insomnia | A81.8 | Progressive and untreatable insomnia, panic attacks, dementia. | Prion disease caused by a rare mutation in the PRNP gene. |
| Fatty Liver Disease | K76.0; K75.81 | Often none; fatigue, pain in upper right abdomen. | Buildup of excess fat in liver cells; obesity, type 2 diabetes. |
| Favism | D55.0 | Fatigue, shortness of breath, dark urine, jaundice after fava bean exposure. | G6PD deficiency, a genetic disorder, triggered by fava beans. |
| Fetal Alcohol Syndrome | Q86.0 | Facial abnormalities, growth deficits, central nervous system problems. | Prenatal alcohol exposure during pregnancy. |
| Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva | M61.1 | Malformed big toes at birth, progressive formation of extra bone in muscle. | Extremely rare genetic mutation in the ACVR1 gene. |
| Fibromyalgia | M79.7 | Widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, cognitive issues (“fibro fog”). | Unknown; involves nervous system’s processing of pain signals. |
| Fibromuscular Dysplasia | I77.3 | High blood pressure, headache, dizziness, whooshing sound in ears. | Abnormal cell growth in artery walls, causing them to narrow or tear. |
| Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone | M85.0 | Bone pain, fractures, bone deformities, often asymptomatic. | A non-inherited gene mutation causing scar-like tissue to replace normal bone. |
| Fifth Disease | B08.3 | Slapped cheek facial rash, lacy body rash, low-grade fever. | Infection with human parvovirus B19; common in children. |
| Filariasis | B74 | Swelling of limbs/genitals (lymphedema), fever, pain. | Infection with parasitic roundworms transmitted by mosquitoes. |
| Fish Odor Syndrome | E88.8 | A strong fishy body odor in sweat, urine, and breath. | Genetic inability to break down the compound trimethylamine (TMA). |
| Flu (Influenza) | J09-J11 | Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, severe fatigue. | Infection with highly contagious influenza viruses. |
| Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis | N05.1 | Swelling (edema), foamy urine (proteinuria), high blood pressure. | Scarring in the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli); multiple causes. |
| Folate Deficiency Anemia | D52 | Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, mouth sores. | Lack of folate (vitamin B9) from diet, malabsorption, or medications. |
| Folliculitis | L73.9 | Small, red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles. | Inflammation of hair follicles, usually from a bacterial or fungal infection. |
| Food Poisoning | A05.9 | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever. | Eating food contaminated with infectious organisms like bacteria or viruses. |
| Fournier’s Gangrene | N49.3 | Severe pain, swelling, and rapid discoloration in the genital area. | A rapidly progressing necrotizing bacterial infection of the perineum. |
| Fragile X Syndrome | Q99.2 | Intellectual disability, developmental delays, distinct facial features. | Genetic mutation in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome. |
| Friedreich’s Ataxia | G11.1 | Progressive difficulty walking, loss of sensation, slurred speech, heart problems. | Inherited genetic mutation in the FXN gene affecting the nervous system. |
| Frontotemporal Dementia | G31.0 | Changes in personality and behavior, problems with language. | Progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal or temporal lobes. |
| Frostbite | T33; T34 | Numbness, waxy or discolored skin (white, gray, or blue), hardness. | Tissue damage caused by freezing from exposure to extreme cold. |
| Frozen Shoulder | M75.0 | Shoulder pain and severe stiffness that limits movement. | Thickening and tightening of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. |
| Fuchs’ Dystrophy | H18.51 | Blurry vision (especially in morning), glare, eye pain, corneal swelling. | Degeneration of endothelial cells in the cornea, often genetic. |
| Functional Neurological Disorder | F44; 6C70 | Weakness, movement disorders, sensory symptoms, non-epileptic seizures. | A problem with the functioning of the nervous system; a “software” issue. |
| Fungal Meningitis | B37.5; B38.4 | Fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, confusion. | Fungal infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. |
| Furuncle (Boil) | L02 | A painful, red, pus-filled bump under the skin. | A deep bacterial (usually Staph aureus) infection of a hair follicle. |
Descriptions
Fabry Disease
A rare genetic disorder where lipids build up in cells. Treatment involves enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). See a geneticist or metabolic disease specialist.
Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia
A genetic disorder that increases the risk of abnormal blood clots. Management involves lifestyle changes and anticoagulants if clots occur. See a hematologist.
Familial Adenomatous Polyposposis
A rare inherited condition causing numerous polyps that lead to colon cancer. Requires screening and often preventative surgery. See a gastroenterologist.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia
An inherited disorder causing dangerously high “bad” cholesterol. Managed with statins, other medications, and lifestyle changes. See a cardiologist or lipid specialist.
Familial Mediterranean Fever
An inflammatory disorder causing painful attacks. Treated with colchicine to prevent episodes and long-term complications. See a rheumatologist.
Fanconi Anemia
A rare, serious genetic disease affecting bone marrow and causing physical defects. Treatment may include transfusions and stem cell transplant. See a hematologist.
Fascioliasis
A parasitic liver infection caused by flukes. It is treatable with antiparasitic drugs like triclabendazole. See an infectious disease specialist.
Fatal Familial Insomnia
An extremely rare and fatal genetic prion disease that destroys the ability to sleep. There is no cure; care is supportive. See a neurologist.
Fatty Liver Disease
A common condition where fat accumulates in the liver. Managed through weight loss, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. See a gastroenterologist or hepatologist.
Favism
A condition where red blood cells break down after eating fava beans. Requires avoiding triggers and supportive care during an episode. See a hematologist.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A lifelong condition caused by alcohol exposure in the womb, leading to developmental issues. Early intervention services can help manage symptoms.
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
A debilitating genetic disorder where muscle is gradually replaced by bone. Management is supportive, focusing on preventing injury and managing pain.
Fibromyalgia
A chronic disorder of widespread musculoskeletal pain. Managed with exercise, stress management, physical therapy, and medications. See a rheumatologist.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia
A condition causing narrowing of medium-sized arteries, often affecting the kidneys. Managed with medication or procedures to open arteries. See a cardiologist.
Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone
A bone disorder where abnormal fibrous tissue develops. Management focuses on pain relief, medications, and surgery for fractures or deformities. See an orthopedist.
Fifth Disease
A mild and common viral illness in children that typically resolves on its own with rest and fluids. See a doctor if symptoms are severe.
Filariasis
A parasitic disease that can cause severe swelling (elephantiasis). Treated with anti-parasitic drugs to kill the worms and manage symptoms. See an infectious disease specialist.
Fish Odor Syndrome
A rare metabolic disorder, also called trimethylaminuria. Managed by avoiding certain foods, using special soaps, and sometimes antibiotics. See a metabolic specialist.
Flu (Influenza)
A common respiratory illness. Most people recover with rest, but antivirals may be prescribed for high-risk individuals. Annual vaccination is recommended.
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
A disease that causes scarring in the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms and slow progression. See a nephrologist.
Folate Deficiency Anemia
Anemia from insufficient folate, leading to large, immature red blood cells. Easily treated with oral folic acid supplements. See a primary care doctor.
Folliculitis
A common skin infection. Mild cases clear up with self-care; more severe cases may need topical or oral antibiotics. See a dermatologist.
Food Poisoning
An illness from contaminated food. Most cases resolve with rest and hydration. Seek medical care for severe symptoms, dehydration, or high fever.
Fournier’s Gangrene
A rare but life-threatening flesh-eating infection. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgery and powerful intravenous antibiotics.
Fragile X Syndrome
The most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Management is supportive, including therapy and special education.
Friedreich’s Ataxia
A rare genetic disease causing progressive damage to the nervous system and heart. Management is supportive to maximize function. See a neurologist.
Frontotemporal Dementia
A group of brain disorders that primarily affect personality, behavior, and language. There is no cure; management is supportive. See a neurologist.
Frostbite
An injury caused by the freezing of skin and underlying tissues. Requires immediate medical attention for careful rewarming to prevent permanent damage.
Frozen Shoulder
A condition causing severe loss of motion in the shoulder. Often resolves over 1–3 years with physical therapy, pain relief, and sometimes injections.
Fuchs’ Dystrophy
A progressive eye disease affecting the cornea. Mild cases are managed with eye drops; advanced cases may require a corneal transplant. See an ophthalmologist.
Functional Neurological Disorder
A condition with genuine physical symptoms caused by a problem in how the brain functions, not structural damage. Treatment involves physical and psychological therapy.
Fungal Meningitis
A rare but serious infection of the meninges. Requires long courses of high-dose intravenous antifungal medications, usually in a hospital setting.
Furuncle (Boil)
A common skin infection. Many can be treated at home with warm compresses. Larger boils may require medical draining by a doctor.