What illnesses can infectious diseases cause?
While not all infectious diseases tasks will cause injury, infectious diseases can lead to serious conditions and death. • While influenza (‘flu’) is common, influenza pandemics are rare, and occur when a new and severe strain of influenza spreads easily through the population, affecting thousands of people in a short period of time. • Avian (bird) flu is a disease that has occasionally spread from birds in poultry farms to humans, causing severe flu-like symptoms and, in some cases, death. • Q Fever is a preventable disease that spreads from infected livestock to people working with livestock. While the symptoms are similar to the flu, this illness can cause long-term heart and liver problems. • Needlestick injuries can transfer viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV. These viruses can cause significant long-term health problems and death.
