General Definition of Infectious Diseases
Health Lav89 - General Definition of Infectious Diseases. Many germs, such as bacteria, parasites, viruses, or fungi can live and develop in our bodies. Even though our body doesn't pay much attention to this, some of these germs can damage our body's health.
In some cases, the germs are not satisfied only damaging the host's body, but also looking for opportunities to pass it on to another host's body. This is called infectious disease.
There are many types of infectious diseases in the world and millions of people are infected by them. The most obvious example is Salmonella, which is a bacteria that comes from food and can cause infectious diseases. According to records from the Center for World Infectious Diseases, in 2012 alone, there were 53,800 cases caused by Salmonella bacteria.
Some infectious diseases that are commonly found are tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS. This contagious disease has caused more than five million deaths each year. Deaths due to infectious diseases are mostly caused by the disease not being treated more quickly and only seeking treatment when the condition is too severe.
With the right and fast treatment, almost all infectious diseases can be treated. An example is tuberculosis, which was once a disease that cannot be treated. However, when drugs for tuberculosis are found, millions of lives around the world can be saved, especially if treatment is done as quickly as possible.
Today, it is very easy to contract various types of diseases because these diseases can spread in various ways. Some diseases can be transmitted through the air, and some are transmitted through body fluids.
Here are some ways how generally a disease can spread to others:
- Airborne transmission
- Direct contact with people who are infected
- Transmission through the skin
- Transmission through saliva
- Transmission through urine
- Sexual transmission
- Contaminated food and drinks
- Transmission through blood secretion and others
A person with a contagious disease usually shows various symptoms. Most infectious diseases have similar symptoms, especially when the disease has just infected someone. However, along with the development of the disease, visible symptoms can become more dangerous and can be life threatening.
Common symptoms due to infectious diseases are fever, body aches, fatigue, and diarrhea. These symptoms will develop worse if treatment is not immediately given.
Therefore, it is very important for you to get treatment immediately when you realize that you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Cough that lasts more than a week
- Red spots or swelling of the skin
- Problems with the eyes that appear suddenly
- Breathing difficulties
- An unbearable headache
- Bitten by certain animals
Some diseases can be directly treated with antibiotics and some other drugs, but some other diseases need to be treated with hospitalization. In fact, there are times when you need to be isolated somewhere to prevent your disease from being transmitted to others.
If you feel sick or feel you are suffering from a specific disease, see your doctor immediately. You do not have enough knowledge about the disease you are suffering, and you endanger the lives and health of the people you care about if you do not consult your doctor immediately.
