What Are Infectious Diseases?
Infectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, occur when harmful germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites enter the body and cause harm. These germs can invade the body through the air, water, food, contact with contaminated surfaces, or bites from insects or animals.
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Types of Infectious Diseases
Bacterial infections
Caused by single-celled organisms and bacteria. Strep throat, tuberculosis, and pneumonia are some examples.
Viral infections
Caused by viruses, which are even smaller than bacteria and need a host (like human cells) to multiply. Examples include the flu, cold, COVID-19, and HIV/AIDS.
Fungal infections
Caused by fungi, such as yeast or molds. Athlete’s foot, ringworm, and candidiasis are few examples.
Parasitic infections
Caused by parasites, which are organisms that live off other living things. Examples include malaria, giardiasis, and intestinal worms.
How Do Infectious Diseases Spread?
- Person-to-person transmission
- Through the air: Germs can spread via droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, like with the flu or COVID-19.
- Contact with bodily fluids: Infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis can spread through saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids.
- Touching contaminated surfaces: Germs like norovirus can transfer when you touch surfaces and then touch your face.
- Animal-to-person transmission – Some diseases, like rabies and malaria, are passed from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or consuming contaminated products.
- Food and water transmission – Improperly handled or cooked food and contaminated water can lead to infections such as cholera and food poisoning.
- Vector-borne transmission – Insects like mosquitoes and ticks can spread diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Lyme disease.
Symptoms of Infectious Diseases
Common symptoms of infectious diseases include:
- Fever – One of the most common signs that your body is fighting an infection
- Fatigue – Feeling very tired or weak because your body is working hard to fight the infection
- Coughing and sneezing – Common with respiratory infections like the cold or flu
- Diarrhoea – Stomach infections or foodborne illnesses can cause loose stools
- Rash – Some infections, like chickenpox or measles, cause a rash to appear on the skin
- Headache – Can happen with many infections, especially those involving the brain or nervous system.
- Muscle or joint pain – Common with infections like the flu or dengue.
- Sore throat – Often a sign of a viral or bacterial infection in the throat, like strep throat
- Vomiting or nausea – Can happen with infections of the stomach or intestines
Common Infectious Diseases
Examples of communicable diseases and their characteristics include:
- Common Cold: Viral infection spread through droplets.
- Influenza (Flu): Viral infection spread through the air or surfaces.
- Pneumonia: Can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
- Tuberculosis (TB): Bacterial infection spread through the air.
- Malaria: Parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes.
- HIV/AIDS: Viral infection spread through bodily fluids.
- Hepatitis: Viral infection spread through food, water, or bodily fluids.
Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases
Diagnosing infectious diseases involves:
- Symptoms assessment.
- Physical exams to detect infection indicators.
- Lab tests like blood tests, throat cultures, or imaging like X-rays.
Depending on the type of disease treatment differs.
- Antibiotics: For bacterial infections like strep throat, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Antiviral medications: For viral infections like influenza or HIV
- Antifungal treatments: For fungal infections like athlete’s foot or candida infections
- Antiparasitic drugs: For parasitic infections like malaria or giardiasis.
Prevention of Infectious Diseases
Effective infection prevention and control strategies include:
- Vaccination: For diseases like measles, polio, and flu.
- Good hygiene: Regular hand washing.
- Avoiding contact with sick individuals: Helps reduce transmission.
- Insect protection: Using repellents to prevent vector-borne diseases.
- Food safety practices: Ensuring proper cooking and handling.
