ANSWER
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by pathogens (harmful agents) that enter your body. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites are the most common causes. Infectious diseases are typically transmitted from person to person through contaminated food or water, or insect bites. Some infectious diseases are minor, while others are deadly.
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OVERVIEW
What are infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful organisms (pathogens) that enter your body from the outside. Pathogens that cause contagious diseases are viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and, rarely, prions. You can get infectious diseases from other people, bug bites, and contaminated food, water, or soil.
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What’s the difference between infectious diseases and noninfectious diseases?
Infectious diseases are caused by harmful organisms, like viruses and bacteria, that get into your body from the outside. Noninfectious diseases aren’t caused by outside microorganisms but by genetics, anatomical differences, aging, and the environment you live in. You can’t get noninfectious infections from other people, by getting a bug bite or from your food.
The flu, measles, HIV, strep throat, COVID-19, and salmonella are all infectious diseases. Cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and Alzheimer’s disease are all examples of noninfectious conditions.
What are the types of infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases can be viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infections. A rare group of infectious diseases is also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) (TSEs).
Viral infections. Viruses are a piece of information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid) (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.
Bacterial infections. Bacteria are single-celled organisms with instructions written on a small piece of DNA. Bacteria are all around us, inside our body and skin. Many bacteria are harmless or helpful, but certain bacteria release toxins that can make you sick.
Fungal infections. Like bacteria, there are many different fungi. They live on and in your body. When your fungi get overgrown or harmful fungi to get into your body through your mouth, nose, or skin cut, you can get sick.
Parasitic infections. Parasites use the bodies of other organisms to live and reproduce. Parasites include worms (helminths) and some single-celled organisms (protozoa) (protozoa).
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs/prion diseases). TSEs are caused by prions — faulty proteins that cause other proteins in your body, usually in your brain, to become inaccurate. Your body cannot use these proteins or get rid of them, so they build up and make you sick. Prions are an infrequent cause of infectious diseases.
What are common infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases are widespread worldwide, but some are more common than others. For instance, each year in the United States, 1 out of every five people is infected with the influenza virus, but less than 300 people are diagnosed with prion diseases.
Some of the most common infectious diseases are listed here by type.
Common infectious diseases caused by viruses:
Common cold.
The flu (influenza) (influenza).
COVID-19.
Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) (gastroenteritis).
Hepatitis.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (RSV).
Common infectious diseases caused by bacteria:
Strep throat.
Salmonella.
Tuberculosis.
Whooping cough (pertussis) (pertussis).
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (STIs).
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (UTIs).
E. coli.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) (C. diff).
Common infectious diseases caused by fungi:
Ringworm (like athlete’s foot).
Fungal nail infections.
Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infection) (vaginal yeast infection).
Thrush.
Common infectious diseases caused by parasites:
Giardiasis.
Toxoplasmosis.
Hookworms.
Pinworms.
Who is most at risk for getting infectious diseases?
Anyone can get an infectious disease. You may be at an increased risk if your immune system is weakened or if you travel to areas with certain highly transmissible diseases.
People at higher risk of infectious disease include:
Those with suppressed or compromised immune systems, such as those receiving cancer treatments, living with HIV, or on certain medicines.
Young children, pregnant people, and adults over 60.
Those who are unvaccinated against common infectious diseases.
Healthcare workers.
People are traveling to areas where they may be exposed to mosquitoes carrying pathogens such as malaria, dengue virus, and Zika.
What complications are associated with infectious diseases?
Many infectious diseases resolve without complications, but some can cause lasting damage.
Serious and life-threatening complications of various infectious diseases include:
Complication Cause(s)
Dehydration
Fever, vomiting, diarrhea
Pneumonia
Respiratory illness (viral bacterial) (viral or bacterial)
Sepsis
Bacterial infections
Meningitis (swelling of the brain) (swelling of the brain)
Multiple causes, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections
AIDS HIV
Liver cancer
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C
Cervical cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) (HPV)
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of infectious diseases?
Symptoms of infectious diseases depend on the type of illness. Fungal infections usually cause localized symptoms, like rash and itching. Viral and bacterial infections can have symptoms in many areas of your body, like:
Fever.
Chills.
Congestion.
Cough.
Fatigue.
Muscle aches and headache.
Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting) (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).
It’s essential to see a doctor if you have any chronic (ongoing) symptoms or symptoms that get worse over time.
What causes infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases are caused by various agents that invade your body from the outside. These include:
Viruses.
Bacteria.
Fungi.
Parasites.
Prions.
You may develop symptoms when your cells are damaged or destroyed by the invading organism and as your immune system responds to the infection.
How do infectious diseases spread?
Depending on the type of infection, there are many ways that infectious diseases can spread. Fortunately, in most cases, there are simple ways to prevent infection.
Your mouth, your nose, and cuts in your skin are familiar places for pathogens to enter your body. Diseases can spread:
From person to person when you cough or sneeze. Droplets from coughing or sneezing can sometimes linger in the air.
From close contact with another person, like kissing or oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
By sharing utensils or cups with other people.
On surfaces like doorknobs, phones, and countertops.
Through contact with poop from a person or animal with an infectious disease.
Through bugs (mosquito or tick) or animal bites.
From contaminated or improperly prepared food or water.
From working with contaminated soil or sand (like gardening) (like gardening).
From a pregnant person to the fetus.
From blood transfusions, organ/tissue transplants, or other medical procedures.
DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING
How are infectious diseases diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider usually diagnoses infectious diseases using one or more lab tests. Your provider can look for signs of illness by:
Swabbing your nose or throat.
Getting blood, pee (urine), poop (stool), or spit (saliva) samples.
Taking a biopsy or scraping a small piece of skin or other tissue.
Getting imaging (X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs) of affected parts of your body.
Some test results, like from a nose swab, come back quickly, but other results might take longer. For instance, sometimes bacteria must be grown in a lab (cultured) from a sample before you can get your test result.
TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT
How are infectious diseases treated?
Treatment depends on what causes the infection. Sometimes your healthcare provider will recommend monitoring your symptoms rather than taking medication.
Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. The proper antibiotic depends on what bacteria causes the disease.
You can manage most viral infections with over-the-counter medications for your symptoms until you feel better. If you have the flu, your healthcare provider may sometimes prescribe oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®). Certain viral infections have particular medications to treat them, like antiretroviral therapy for HIV.
Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal medications. You can take them orally, like fluconazole (Diflucan®), or put them on your skin just where the fungus is, like clotrimazole (Lotrimin®).
Parasites can be treated with antiparasitic drugs, such as mebendazole (Emverm®).
There are no treatments for prion diseases.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria develop mutations that make it harder for our medicines to destroy them. This happens when antibiotics are overused, such as for minor infections that your body could fight off on its own.
Antibiotic resistance makes some bacterial infections very difficult to treat and more likely to be life-threatening. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an example of a bacterial infection that has become antibiotic-resistant.
Healthcare providers are working to reduce antibiotic resistance. You can help — and protect yourself — by finishing all of your antibiotic medication as prescribed. This helps ensure all the bacteria are destroyed and can’t mutate.
PREVENTION
The Swiss Cheese Model shows how vaccinations, hand washing, safe food handling, and cleaning work together to prevent disease.
James Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model applied to infectious diseases. Even if the protection isn’t perfect, the more layers of protection (“slices of cheese”) you add – getting vaccinated, washing your hands, safe food handling, cleaning, and disinfecting – the lower your risk of getting and spreading infectious diseases.
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 contagious diseases, often, there’s no single way that’s 100% effective at preventing illness. That’s why it’s essential to have many habits for reducing your risk.
You can think of it as lining up slices of Swiss cheese, a model suggested by James Reason, Ph.D. Where some pieces have holes, other portions give protection. Getting recommended vaccinations and simple habits like practicing safe food handling and washing your hands work together to provide you with layers of protection.
Vaccines
Vaccines reduce your risk of getting an infectious disease by training your immune system to recognize and fight off infections from harmful invaders. While people sometimes still get sick with an illness after getting vaccinated for it, your symptoms are usually less severe than they would’ve been without the vaccination.
Usually given as a shot or series of shots (or, less commonly, as a nasal spray), vaccines are available for many common infectious diseases, including:
Chickenpox.
COVID-19.
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) (whooping cough).
Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) (HPV).
Influenza.
Malaria.
Measles, mumps, and rubella.
Polio.
Rotavirus.
Rabies.
Shingles.
Tuberculosis.
The CDC has up-to-date recommendations for vaccinations for children, adolescents, and adults. If you’re traveling, ensure you have all the recommended vaccinations for your destination.
Safe food handling
Safe food handling habits help prevent certain infectious diseases.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before, during, and after food preparation.
Peel or thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables.
Freeze meats at 0⁰F (-18⁰C) until ready to thaw.
Cook meats to a safe temperature before eating.
Wash food preparation surfaces and utensils with soap and water after use.
Don’t eat uncooked or undercooked seafood.
Don’t drink untreated water.
Don’t drink unpasteurized milk.
Other ways to help prevent infectious disease
In addition to vaccines and safe food handling habits, you can reduce your risk of contracting or spreading an infectious disease with a few everyday practices.
Wash your hands with soap and water. Thorough hand-washing is essential before preparing a meal or eating, after using the bathroom, after contact with poop (animal or human), and after gardening or working with dirt.
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home and workplace.
Please avoid contact with people who are infected or share personal items with them.
Avoid contact with others while you are sick with an infectious disease.
Don’t drink from or swim in water that could be contaminated.
Wear a mask around others when you are sick or as the CDC recommends.
Use a condom during any sex.
To reduce the risk of tick or mosquito bites, use bug repellent approved for ticks and mosquitos, cover as much exposed skin as you can with clothing and check for ticks after being in the woods or areas with long grass.
OUTLOOK / PROGNOSIS
What are the outcomes after treatment for infectious diseases?
With treatment, most people get better after being sick with an infectious disease.
Sometimes there can still be serious complications, especially with respiratory illnesses. People with compromised immune systems are more at risk of severe complications, but they can happen in healthy people too.
Some diseases, like HIV and hepatitis B, can’t be cured, but medications can help prevent serious complications. Sexually transmitted infections can cause infertility or cancer, so protecting yourself and others is essential.
Prion diseases are severe and can’t be cured. They are, fortunately, some of the rarest infectious diseases.
LIVING WITH
When should I call my healthcare provider concerning an infectious disease?
Let your healthcare provider know if you have any symptoms of infectious disease, especially if they’re unusual or don’t go away over time. If you have an ongoing infection, frequent follow-ups with your provider can help ensure your condition doesn’t worsen.
Your provider should also know if you plan to travel to foreign countries. You may need to be vaccinated against more common infections at your destination.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are emerging infectious diseases?
Emerging infectious diseases are those that are new or are infecting more people than they had previously. Particular research is dedicated to these diseases. Some emerging contagious disease agents include Ebola, salmonella, hepatitis A, certain coronaviruses, and the West Nile virus.
What are common pediatric infectious diseases?
Babies and children can be more likely to get sick from infectious diseases because their immune systems are still developing. They also can’t practice good hygiene on their own as adults can. Some infectious diseases that can be more common in children include:
Chickenpox.
Common cold.
Fifth disease.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) (HFMD).
Influenza.
Measles.
Pinworm.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (RSV).
Ringworm.
Roseola.
Strep throat.
Whooping cough (pertussis) (pertussis).
A note from Cleveland Clinic
We coexist with viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites every day. You have ten times more bacteria inside your body than human cells — we couldn’t live without them!
Some of the organisms that we come across can be harmful. Fortunately, you can do many simple things to keep yourself healthy.
It’s also important to remember that there might be people around you who cannot fight off infections easily. Washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and other simple habits can help protect others from getting seriously ill. A small practice for you could be life-saving for someone else.
QUESTION
For this assignment you will complete a Basic Concept Map based on an exemplar condition, disorder, or disease process. The Concept Map will include the following:
Assessment Data
Recognizing cues, consider subjective and objective data.
Analyze cues
Prioritize hypothesis
Should be prioritized based on most urgent/important
Generate solutions for each prioritized problem
Take action
Interventions with Rationale
Must cite rationale
Evaluation
Topic- HIV