Terms of Use

Information for consumers who are accessing Harvard Health content via third-party websites, applications and publications:

Harvard University authorizes you to view, print, or download this information from Harvard Medical School (the “HMS materials”) for your personal, noncommercial use if you agree not to remove any copyright or other proprietary rights notices that appear on the HMS materials. Except for one copy for your personal use, any reproduction or distribution of the HMS materials is expressly prohibited. The HMS materials are protected by copyright under both United States and foreign laws.  Title to the HMS materials remains with Harvard University.  Any use of the HMS materials not expressly permitted by these terms of use is a breach of these terms of use, and may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.  HMS materials and features are subject to change or termination without notice at the editorial discretion of Harvard University.  All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved to Harvard University. If you violate any of these terms of use, your permission to use the HMS materials automatically terminates and you must immediately destroy any copies you have made of the HMS materials.

Medical Disclaimer:  The HMS materials are intended to provide helpful health information for the general public.  The HMS materials are made available with the understanding that Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, the author of the HMS materials, and the publisher are not engaged through these materials in rendering medical, health, psychological, or any other kind of personal professional services.  The HMS materials should not be considered complete, and do not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment.  The HMS materials should not be used in place of a call or visit to your medical, health or other competent professional, who should be consulted before adopting any of the suggestions on this site or before drawing any inferences from the HMS materials.

Any information about drugs or medical products contained within the HMS materials is general in nature, and  does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medicines or products mentioned.  The HMS materials are not intended as medical advice for individual health issues or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of using a particular drug or product.

Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, the author of the HMS materials, and any publisher of the HMS materials, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the HMS materials on this site.

No Endorsement: Harvard University and Harvard Medical School do not endorse products or services, any specific theory, research, methodology, or practice within the health sciences, or any political party or candidate.