What is infectious disease?
The spread of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites) or prions to humans from other humans, animals, insect bites or the environment, can cause illnesses in people, which are called infectious diseases. Some infections spread to people from an animal or insect but are not contagious from another human, such as Lyme disease. It comes from the bite of an infected tick.
What is contagious disease?
Contagious disease is one type of infectious diseases that spread from person to person.
How do contagious diseases spread?
Contagious diseases spread from person to person in several ways.
- Direct physical contact, like touching or kissing a person who has the infection.
- When an infectious microbe travels through the air after someone nearby sneezes or coughs.
- By touching or using something an infected person has touched or used — like sharing a straw with someone who has mono or stepping into the shower after someone who has athlete’s foot.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread through all types of sex — oral, anal, or vaginal.
Protection against contagious disease
- Washing your hands well and often,
- Staying away from those who are sick,
- Making sure you’re up to date on all vaccinations,
- Always using condoms during any type of sex.
Some common infectious diseases
Any of the following can be infectious disease (UUH, 2022):
- Chickenpox
- Common cold
- Diphtheria
- E. coli
- Giardiasis
- HIV/AIDS
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Influenza (flu)
- Lyme disease
- Malaria
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Mumps
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
- Pneumonia
- Rocky mountain spotted fever
- Rubella (German measles)
- Salmonella infections
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Tetanus
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Tuberculosis
- Viral hepatitis
- West Nile virus
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
Some common symptoms
Some common symptoms for many infectious diseases:
- Fever,
- Diarrhea,
- Fatigue, and
- Muscle aches.
Treatment for infectious diseases
- Treatment by antibiotics (specifically diseases caused by bacteria);
- Antiviral medications for disease caused by viruses;
- Antifungals for diseases caused by fungi;
N.B.: Some diseases, however, have become resistant to drugs. Therefore, always consult a doctor about the best treatment option for your particular symptoms or disease.
References
University of Utah Health (UUH), Common infectious diseases. Last accessed on 10/11/2022. url: https://healthcare.utah.edu/infectiousdiseases/general.php