Infectious diseases have always been a big threat in human history. Diseases like cholera, plague, smallpox, dengue, bird flu and swine flu can spread all of a sudden and take the lives of millions of people in an instant. Having a proper knowledge about these infectious and contagious diseases will help in a big way to protect ourselves from these diseases attacking us in future.
Infectious and Contagious Diseases
Diseases that spread from person to person, by the means of physical contact like touching, kissing, having an intercourse or just by hanging out with the person are called as contagious diseases. These diseases come under the category of transmittable diseases.
Infectious diseases are those that spread due to an animal, virus or bacteria. Infectious diseases can also be contagious. Depending upon its spreadable nature, they are classified into different types.
Main reasons for infectious diseases are bacteria and virus. They can be present anywhere, in the air, water, affected person’s blood, so it can spread very easily and rapidly as well.
Infectious diseases that spread through the air
Flu, measles, small pox, tuberculosis, swine flu, rubella, are some of the major viral diseases that spread through the air. These diseases can easily spread through the air to a completely healthy person from an infected person.
Smallpox and chicken pox, in this case, can spread through the liquid or puss present in its blisters.
Signs of Infectious diseases
Cold, cough, continuous fever, body pain are some of the common symptoms. People with smallpox or chicken pox will have irritation, the formation of blisters with puss, throughout the body.
Treatments and Preventive Measures
Infectious diseases that spread through Air like chicken pox will cure itself within 10-15 days. It’s necessary to treat the infected person in isolation and in the healthy and hygienic environment.
There are vaccines available for diseases that spread through the air. Taking these vaccines can effectively protect you from these diseases. It’s very vital to keep our living space clean and tidy. Avoid interactions with the infected person.
Infectious diseases that spread through water
Typhoid, black fever, cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis-B are some of the diseases that spread through water.
Some diseases like Ebola can spread through mosquitoes, touching and kissing the infected person, using syringes that are used for the infected person and using it on other persons without any proper cleaning.
Infectious Diseases that spread through insects, parasites, and animals
Malaria, dengue, chikungunya, brain fever, plague, rabies.
Mosquitoes, flies, rats, dogs spread these diseases through parasites. Mosquitoes act as a carrier for viruses and bacterias that live in water and infect it in humans. These diseases include dengue, chikungunya and many others.
Symptoms
Cold, fever, muscle pain, pain in hands and legs, pain in joints are some of the major symptoms of these diseases. If these diseases mature and get to advanced stages, then it can lead to epilepsy, coma, and even death.
Treatments and preventive measures
There are medicines available to control fever. Patients with these diseases must be treated intensively to control the disease causing virus and bacteria.
When a person is infected with a disease like typhoid, the bacteria responsible for the disease will not leave the body completely. So it’s necessary to take necessary medications and tablets according to the doctor’s advice. Failing which may result in the relapse of the disease.
Additionally, there are vaccines available for these diseases. During the times of severe infections of these diseases, people who are completely healthy can take these vaccines to protect themselves.
Keeping our environment clean will also help to protect us. It’s necessary to not to let stagnant water deposition near our homes. Make sure the tanks and sumps are properly netted to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing. It’s also necessary to make appropriate steps to protect ourselves from mosquito bites. The best way to do it is by using nets as opposed to mosquito repellents.
People having pets, must make sure they are properly vaccinated. If there is an instance of a dog bite or a cat bite, it is better to consult a doctor immediately and get vaccinated accordingly. This will help to protect ourselves from Rabies.
Infectious Diseases that spread through the blood
Diseases like Hepatitis-B, Tetanus, STD and AIDS are some of the common diseases that spread through blood and sexual intercourse.
These diseases can also spread through repeated usage of syringes from an infected person to a normal person. Like, through needles used in tattoos and acupuncture.
It is also transmitted through sexual intercourse from an infected person.
Tetanus bacteria live in rusted nails and other rusted materials. When these objects are injected into the body or when we are injured by a rusted object, these bacteria will enter our blood stream and cause the damage.
Symptoms
Hepatitis-B patients will have yellowish, fingernails, body complexion and eyes. There will also be continuous fever along with body pain, tiredness, and vomiting.
Body contraction, epilepsy, coma are symptoms of an advanced stage of tetanus disease.
Long term unhealed injuries present in the reproductive organ is a symptom for STD. With similar symptom accompanied with loss of body weight, hair loss, lack of hunger, constipation could be a sign of AIDS.
Treatments and Preventive measures
There are vaccines available for hepatitis-B, Hygienic food and a healthy lifestyle can help to control this disease. It’s necessary to not to reuse same syringe or needle. Not indulging in sexual relationships with an infected person and using condoms can help to prevent sexually transmitted diseases like STD and AIDS.
Preventive Measures to protect yourself from infectious diseases
- Consuming hygienic and home prepared food.
- Clean hands.
- Hygienic living place.
- Hiding our nose and mouth while sneezing.
- Not sharing personal things like shaving razor, panties, soaps, comb with others.
- Taking appropriate vaccines.
- Not traveling while there is widespread of diseases.
Following these measures will help to completely protect ourselves from any of the infectious and contagious diseases.