Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens entering the body and can be contagious or spread indirectly. They are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and prions. Epidemiologists study and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Basic hygiene and medical treatments are used to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal disease, tuberculosis, and malaria are the most deadly infectious diseases worldwide.
Infectious disease is a disease caused by a pathogen entering the body and triggering the development of an infection. These diseases have a variety of causes and can be found all over the world. These diseases are considered contagious or transmissible, meaning they can be passed from person to person. It is also possible for such diseases to spread indirectly through unsanitary conditions or from animals to people, in which case they are known as zoonotic diseases.
A variety of pathogens can be responsible for infectious diseases, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and prions. Within these broad categories of infectious organisms, there are numerous modes of transmission and a colorful assortment of symptoms, although surprisingly few organisms cause disease, considering the diversity of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan life. To treat an infectious disease, doctors must be able to eliminate the source of the infection and repair the damage it has caused to the body. Many of these diseases leave the body vulnerable to secondary infections, where other organisms move in to take advantage of a weakened immune system, and this can be very problematic.
The study of infectious diseases is known as epidemiology. Epidemiologists work to determine the source of the disease so that new treatment approaches can be developed. They also identify emerging outbreaks, which can develop into epidemics or pandemics, and areas where a disease is endemic, meaning it occurs on a regular basis. Malaria, for example, is endemic in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.
There are several techniques that can be used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Basic hygiene eliminates many organisms, as long as people wash their hands, use clean drinking water, and have access to clean medical facilities. Reducing contact with zoonotic vectors such as insects and rodents can also reduce the incidence, as can education in communities where a particular disease is endemic.
Antivirals, antibacterials, and antifungals are all used in the fight against infectious diseases, sometimes prophylactically to prevent infection in endemic areas. Physicians also use a variety of medical tests and screening tools to identify patients and populations at risk, and additional medical treatments such as minor surgeries and procedures are also used in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.
Worldwide, infectious diseases are a common killer, especially in developing countries. Respiratory infections are the most deadly diseases, followed by HIV/AIDS, diarrheal disease, tuberculosis and malaria. Many of these conditions are completely preventable with minimal effort, making the high loss of life to diseases such as diarrheal disease in some regions of the world particularly unfortunate.
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