Infectious diseases

Description

Infectious diseases are illnesses that happen when the tiny living things that get inside the body and multiply. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are examples of organisms that can cause diseases. Many organisms live in and on our body. Are too small to see with the eyes. And often are harmless or even useful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.

Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person. Some spread through insects or other animals. You can get others by consuming contaminated food or water. Or you may be exposed to the germs around them, such as those on the surfaces.

The symptoms of infectious diseases vary depending on the cause of the infection. But often in -clude fever, and tiredness. Rest and home remedies can lighten mild infections. But other infections that can be life-threatening, and treatment may include care in the hospital.

Many infectious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, can be prevented by vaccines. And other diseases, such as COVID-19, it might make you less sick if you get vaccinated. Frequent and thorough hand-washing also helps protect against the majority of infectious diseases.

Symptoms

Each infectious disease has its own symptoms. But some acuteses share general symptoms, such as:

  • Fever.
  • Faster heartbeat.
  • The diarrhea.
  • The tiredness, also called fatigue.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Cough.
  • Night sweats.

When to see a doctor

Call your health care professional if you:

  • You have been bitten by an animal.
  • Having trouble breathing.
  • Coughing for more than a week, or coughing up yellow-green mucus or blood.
  • You have severe headache with fever.
  • Get a skin rash generalized, comes with a fever, leakage of fluid, or you feel pain or hot.
  • You have pain or long duration of fever.
  • Suddenly vision problems.

Causes

Infectious diseases can be caused by:

  • Bacteria. These cells of organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis.
  • Virus. These germs are microscopic, are even smaller than bacteria. That cause many diseases, like the common cold, COVID-19 and HIV.
  • Fungi. These cause many skin diseases, such as ringworm and athlete's foot. Other types of fungi can infect the lungs, the eyes, liver or the brain.
  • Parasites. The disease malaria is caused by a small parasite that is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. Other parasites can be transmitted to people from animal feces.

Direct contact

An easy way to catch most infectious diseases is by coming in contact with an infected person or animal. These diseases can be spread through direct contact, such as:

  • Person-to-person.This can happen when an infected person touches, kisses, or coughs or sneezes on someone who is not infected. These germs can also be spread through body fluids during sexual contact. The person who transmits the seed may have no symptoms.
  • Animal-to-person. Being bitten or scratched by an infected animal, even a pet can make you sick. In extreme situations, it can be deadly. Management of animal waste can raiis the risk of getting a disease as well. For example, you could catch an infection caused by a parasite by taking out your cat's litter box without using disposable gloves or wash out after. Pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems are especially at risk of this infection, which is called toxoplasmosis.
  • Of the mother to the fetus. A pregnant person can transmit the germs that cause infectious diseases to the unborn baby. Some germs can pass through the body that sends oxygen and nutrients to the unborn child, called the placenta. The germs in the vagina can also be transmitted to the baby during childbirth. There is also a small risk of germs that passes through breast milk. This risk is higher if you purchase breast milk in the milk-line, site of the exchange, or if your baby feeds from another person of breast milk.

Person-to-person. This can happen when an infected person touches, kisses, or coughs or sneezes on someone who is not infected.

These germs can also be spread through body fluids during sexual contact. The person who transmits the germ may not have symptoms.

Indirect contact

The germs that cause diseases can also be transmitted by indirect contact. Many of the germs that may linger on surfaces such as tabletops, doorknobs or handles of the faucet.

For example, let's say you touch a doorknob that has been handled by someone who is sick with the flu ora cold. You could pick up the germs that the person left behind. If you then touch your eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands, it may become infected.

Insect bites

Insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice or ticks can harbor germs and spread to the people with their bites. Mosquitoes can carry the malaria parasite or the West Nile virus. Deer ticks can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

The contamination of food

Germs that can cause illness can also be infected through contaminated food and water. For example, the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) is present in foods such as undercooked hamburger or fruit juice is not pasteurized.

Risk factors

Any person may contract infectious diseases. But you may be more likely to get sick if your immune system is not working correctly. This can occur if:

  • Taking steroids or other medications that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy for cancer.
  • You have HIV or AIDS.
  • You have certain types of cancer or other conditions that affect your immune system.

Another risk factors include malnutrition and hospital procedures to insert the tubes in a vein to give the medicine or other treatments.

Complications

Some infectious diseases can cause minor health problems, such as the common cold. Others can become life-threatening, such as pneumonia, and meningitis. Some types of infections have been linked to long-term at the highest risk of cancer:

  • The human papilloma virus is linked to cervical cancer.
  • Helicobacter pylori is linked to stomach cancer and peptic ulcer.
  • Hepatitis B and C have been linked to liver cancer.

The germs that cause some infectious diseases may also become inactive, only to cause problems in the future. For example, someone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles later in life.

Prevention

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of infection:

  • Wash your hands. Wash with water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Washing is extremely important before and after preparing food, before eating and after using the toilet or the keyh trash. It is also key to wash after touching pets, their food or their residues. Make sure you rub your hands after caring for someone who is sick before and after treating a cut, and after blowing your nose too. Also, try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands. That is a common way for germs to enter the body.
  • Get vaccinated. The vaccination can greatly reduce your chances of contracting many diseases. Be sure to keep up to date on their recommended vaccines, as well as that of their children.
  • Stay home when you are sick. Do not go to work if you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or a fever. Do not send their children to the school if you have these symptoms, either. And wear a mask if you are ill or if you need to take care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
  • Prepare the food safely. Keep counters and other kitchen surfaces clean when preparing meals. Cook foods to the proper temperature, the use of a food thermometer to check the cooking. For ground meats, which means that at least 160 F (71 ° C); for poultry, 165 F (74 ° C); ad for most of the other meats, at least 145 F (63 C). Also, quickly refrigerate the leftovers — do not leave cooked foods remain at room temperature for long periods of time.
  • Have safe sex. Use a condom every time you have sex if you or your partner has a history of sexally transmitted diseases (Stds). It is also important to use condoms, if you have more than one sexual partner. Make sure to get tested for Stds, and share the results with each other.
  • Do not share personal items. Use your own toothbrush, comb and razor. Do not share cups or utensils, the kitchen, especially if someone seems sick.
  • Travel wisely. If you're going to travel outside the country, talk with your healthcare provider about any special vaccinations you may need. Examples include vaccines for yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis a, or B, or typhoid fever.

Infectious diseases

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will probably ask you about your symptoms and medical history. What is more likely to get a physical exam also. You may also need some tests, or imaging studies to help figure out the cause of your symptoms.

Laboratory tests

Many infectious diseases have common symptoms. Samples of body fluids can sometimes point to the germ that causes the disease. This helps your care team, make sure you get the right treatment.

  • Blood tests. A health care professional inserts a needle into a vein, usually in the arm.
  • Urine tests. This involves urinating into a container.
  • Throat swabs. The samples of the throat, or other moist areas of the body, it can be taken with a sterile swab.
  • Stool sample. You can collect a stool sample in a container, so that a lab can check for parasites and other organisms.
  • Spinal tap. Also called a lumbar puncture, this procedure uses a needle to take a sample of the fluid that the positionof nds, the brain and the spinal cord. A needle is carefully placed between the bones of the lower part of the spine. It is likely to be asked to lie on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest.

Imaging scans

The tests make pictures of the inside of the body also can help of your health care team figure out the cause of your symptoms. Imaging tests include X-rays, ct, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Biopsies

During a biopsy, a small tissue sample for analysis. For example, a biopsy of lung tissue can be verified by a variety of fungi that can cause a type of pneumonia.

Treatment

Know what type of germ is causing your illness makes it easier for your healthcare team to choose the appropriate treatment.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines that clarify illnesses caused by bacteria. Are grouped into classes of similar types. The bacteria also gather in groups of similar types, such as streptococcus or E. coli. Some types of bacteria are especially susceptible to certain classes of antibiotics. The treatment can be targeted more precisely, if your health care team knows what type of bacteria that you are infected with.

Antibiotics have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses. But sometimes it is difficult to know which type of germ is at work. For example, pneumonia can be caused by a bacterium, a virus, a fungus or a parasite.

The excessive use of antibiotics is a problem. The bacteria can change in response to these drugs. As a result, some types of bacteria can withstand the effects of one or more varieties of antibiotics. This is called antibiotic resistance. That makes these germs are much more difficult to treat.

Antiviral drugs

These medications can treat certain virus. Examples include the viruses that cause:

  • COVID-19.
  • HIV.
  • Herpes.
  • Hepatitis B.
  • Hepatitis C.
  • The flu.

Anti-fungal

Topical antifungal medication that is put into the body can treat the skin, or infections of the nail caused by fungi. Some fungal infections, such as those that affect the lungs or mucous membranes, can be treated with oral antifungal that you take by mouth. Worst infections of the internal organs may need to be treated with intravenous antifungal medications. You get these through a needle into a vein in the hospital.

Anti-parasitics

Some diseases, such as malaria, are caused by tiny parasites. These organisms live in or on the host organisms, which can include people. Parasites get their nutrients from or at the expense of their hosts. Medicines can treat diseases caused by parasites. But some types of parasites have developed resistance to the medications.

Self-care

Many infectious diseases, such as colds go away on their own. Drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of rest. If other people live in your house, try not to have close contact with them while you are sick. Think about wearing a mask around them.

Alternative medicine

Many of the products that have claimed to help defend against common illnesses, such as colds or the flu. Some of these substances have appeared promising in early studies. But the track of the research you may have had unclear results. In general, more research needs to be done.

Some of the substances that have been studied for the prevention or shortening of the duration of the infection include:

  • Blueberry.
  • The echinacea.
  • Garlic.
  • The Ginseng.
  • The Vitamin C.
  • The Vitamin D.
  • Zinc.

Check with your health care team before you try any of the products that promise to boost your immune system or ward off colds and other diseases. Some of these products can cause side effects or mix badly with other medicines you may be taking.

Preparing for your appointment

Probably first see your primary care team. You can get referred to a specialist, depending on the severity of your infection is and what parts of the body are affected. For example, a dermatologist treats skin conditions. A pulmonologist treats lung disorders.

What you can do

You can write a list that includes:

  • Detailed descriptions of your symptoms.
  • The information about the medical problems you have had.
  • The information about your parents or siblings of medical problems.
  • All of the medications and supplements you are taking.
  • The questions you want to ask your health care professional.

Prepare a list of questions to ask the health care professional will help you to make the most of your time together. For infectious diseases, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms? There are other possible causes?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or long-term?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • There is a generic version of the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask a series of questions, including:

  • When did your symptoms start, how severe are they?
  • Do your symptoms come and go, or don't have symptoms all the time?
  • What has recently come in contact with someone who is sick?
  • You've been bitten or scratched by an animal? Or has that come into contact with animal feces?
  • Dor have any of the bites of insects?
  • You have eaten undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables?
  • You've been out of the country recently?
Symptoms and treatment of Infectious diseases