Infectious Disease

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Infectious diseases are very common and can happen to anyone, at any age. Some infectious diseases are mild and clear up quickly with treatment. Other infectious diseases can cause severe symptoms, are difficult to treat and can lead to serious chronic health problems. Proper precautions and prompt treatment can help prevent infectious diseases from spreading.

Some of the most common infectious diseases we treat are:

What are Infectious Diseases?

Infectious diseases are caused by harmful germs that are not normally present in the body. There are four main types of disease-causing organisms that can cause infection:

bacteria
funguses
parasites
viruses

Various Types, Causes & Symptoms

Learn About Infectious Diseases

Types

There are dozens of infectious diseases that can affect every part of the body. A few of the most common ones include:

COVID-19, a viral infection that can cause a range of symptoms including severe respiratory problems
Diseases spread by mosquitoes, including chikungunya virus, dengue hemorrhagic fever, West Nile virus and Zika virus
Hepatitis, a group of viral liver infections
Influenza, or the flu, a viral infection that affects the respiratory system
Lyme disease
Meningitis
Pertussis, or whooping cough
Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs

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Causes

An infectious disease occurs when germs enter the body and begin to multiply. Some of the ways infectious diseases spread include:

Breathing in droplets that enter the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks
Consuming contaminated food or water
Insect bites, particularly ticks and mosquitoes, or animal bites
Touching an infected person or surface

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Symptoms

Infectious disease symptoms vary widely in type and severity. Some symptoms infectious diseases may share include:

Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever and chills
Muscle aches and headache
Vomiting

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How are Infectious Diseases Diagnosed?

Infectious diseases can be diagnosed using one of the following kinds of tests:

Antigen tests can be used to identify some viruses.
Polymerase chain reaction tests can detect viruses that cause diseases, such as COVID-19, during the earliest stages of infection.
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) can quickly diagnose diseases such as COVID-19, flu, strep throat, malaria and HIV.

Additional laboratory tests of body fluids such as blood, mucus, saliva and stool may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.

Prevention of Infectious Diseases

Good hygiene and health practices can help stop infectious diseases from spreading.

Vaccines are available to prevent many infectious diseases including COVID-19, chickenpox, dengue, flu, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella and shingles.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover sneezes and coughs.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces around the home and workplace.
Practice safe sex.
Prevent mosquito and tick bites with appropriate clothing and insect repellent.

For some infectious diseases such as HIV, preventive medications are available.