Infectious diseases

Diseases caused by pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites) are

called infectious diseases and these diseases typically spread from
person to person, via contaminated food or water and through bug bites.
Some infectious diseases are minor, but some are very dangerous.
Examples: Flu, measles, HIV, strep throat, COVID-19 and salmonella
However, noninfectious diseases aren’t caused by invading organisms,
but the reason may be genetics, anatomical differences, life style, getting
older and the surrounding environment. Noninfectious diseases are not
acquired from other people, bug bite or food.
Examples: Cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure and Alzheimer’s
disease.
Types of infectious diseases
Viral infections: Viruses are a piece of information (DNA or RNA)
inside a protective shell (capsid). Viruses are much smaller than your
cells and have no way to reproduce on their own. They get inside your
cells and use your cells’ machinery to make copies of themselves.
Example: common cold, influenza, Covid-19, hepatitis
Bacterial infections: Bacteria are single-celled organisms with their
instructions written on a small piece of DNA. Bacteria are all around us,
including inside of our body and on our skin. Many bacteria are
harmless or even helpful, but certain bacteria release toxins that can
make you sick.
Examples: strep throat, Tuberculosis, whooping cough (pertussis)
Fungal infections: Like bacteria, there are many different fungi. They
live on and in your body. When your fungi get overgrown or when
harmful fungi get into your body through your mouth, your nose or a cut
in your skin, you can get sick.
Examples: candidiasis, fungal nail infection, athlete’s foot
Parasitic infections: Parasites use the bodies of other organisms to live
and reproduce. Parasites include worms (helminths) and some single-
celled organisms (protozoa).
Examples: toxoplasmosis, hook worms, pin worms
Symptoms of infectious diseases
Fever.
Chills.
Congestion.
Cough.
Fatigue.
Muscle aches and headache.
Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)

Can infectious diseases be prevented?

There are many simple ways to reduce your risk of infectious disease
and even prevent certain illnesses altogether. While each of these helps
to reduce your risk of getting and spreading infectious diseases, often
there’s no single way that’s 100% effective at preventing disease. That’s
why it’s important to have many habits for reducing your risk.
Vaccines: they train your immune system to recognize and fight off
infections from harmful invaders.
Principle: Introduction of a small amount of the pathogen to the body to
produce protective immunologic memory (active immunity). If the
pathogen is reintroduced at a later date, a greater immunologic response
is produced but without inducing disease.
Safe food handling
Wash your hands
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Avoid contact with people who are sick
reduce the risk of tick or mosquito bites