What is Infectious Disease?
Infectious disease is disease caused by a pathogen which enters the body and triggers the development of an infection. Infectious diseases have a range of causes, and they can be found all over the world. These diseases are considered contagious or communicable, meaning that they can be passed from person to person. It is also possible for such diseases to spread indirectly through unhygienic conditions, or from animals to people, in which case they are known as zoonotic diseases. A variety of pathogens can be responsible for infectious disease, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and prions. Within these large categories of infectious organisms, there are numerous modes of transmission and a colorful assortment of symptoms, although surprisingly few organisms cause infectious disease, when one considers the diversity of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan life. In order to treat an infectious disease, doctors must be able to knock out the source of the infection and re
Infectious disease is a general term for illnesses caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These pathogens can attack virtually any part of the body and are contacted in many different ways: through the environment, through contaminated food and medical supplies, or from encounters with infected individuals. Many infectious diseases are highly contagious and can spread rapidly throughout a population. Examples include tuberculosis, AIDS, cholera, and athlete’s foot. For additional information click here. Image: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, as seen through a microscope. Hand washing: The handiwork of good health For updates on this topic, click to subscribe: What is RSS?
