Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are illnesses which are caused by bacterial and viral infections, and spread from one person to another through contaminated surfaces, bodily fluids, air, droplets, etc. These can also spread through animals, pathogens, protozoa, and fungi. Some people are at an increased risk of being infected by communicable diseases, like those with the compromised immune system, young children, pregnant women, and older adults above 60, healthcare workers, people traveling to areas with high concentrations of mosquitoes and pathogens, and those not vaccinated against common infectious diseases.
Once the pathogen has entered into the body of the host, it will start replicating, and the infected individual will begin experiencing symptoms, though some individuals remain asymptomatic (without any symptoms), they can still transmit the pathogens and disease. Some of the common forms of communicable diseases include:
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Sexually transmitted diseases (AIDS)
- Influenza
- Coronavirus
- AIDS
- Hepatitis A
- Monkeypox
- Zika
- Measles
- Ebola
Though symptoms of communicable diseases may vary, some of the common symptoms of communicable diseases include cough, chills, fever, congestion, and fatigue. Here, we have briefly discussed the causes, symptoms and treatments of some of the common communicable diseases.
Flu (Influenza)
Flu is caused by the influenza virus, and causes symptoms like runny nose and cough, headache and body ache, fever and respiratory symptoms. The infection commonly spreads during winter months, from October through May, and usually peaks in December and February in the Northern Hemisphere. You are at a higher risk of getting serious illness from flu if you have diseases like asthma, a weakened immune system, diabetes, or a blood disorder like sickle cell disease.
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is a communicable disease that affects the liver and causes jaundice. It is transmitted from one person to another through the consumption of food, poor hand hygiene, drinking contaminated water, and oral sexual contact. The virus replicates in the liver, is excreted in bile, and can reach high concentrations in the stool two weeks after transmission. The patient experiences acute onset of fever, followed by jaundice and abdominal pain.
Tuberculosis
The communicable disease commonly affects your lungs but it can also affect your other organs like kidneys, brain and spine. Meningitis is the inflammation of your brain while Pott’s disease is the tuberculosis of the spine. Addison’s disease is an adrenal gland condition, and Sterile pyuria results in high levels of white blood cells in your urine.
E. coli Infection
Most strains of E. coli bacteria are harmless that live in your intestines and help digest food. However, certain strains of E.coli can cause symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps. You may get infected with E.coli by eating contaminated meat, drinking raw milk, eating soft cheese, drinking contaminated water, or touching your mouth with infected hands. E.coli makes you sick by producing a toxin called Shiga that damages the lining of your small intestine and causes you diarrhea.
Ringworm
Ringwork fungus is highly infectious and infects people of all ages. It can appear in any part of your body. Symptoms include ring-shaped rashes, itchy skin, redness, and scaly skin. Scalp ringworm can lead to painful inflammation called kerion, resulting in pus-filled sores that turn crusty. To protect yourself from ringworm, change your socks and underwear daily, dry your skin thoroughly after showering, and treat pets for ringworm.
Treatment options
Various infectious diseases have different treatment methods. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, while viral infections may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Some diseases would require prescription medications like oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu), and antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal medications like fluconazole (Difucan) while diseases caused by parasites can be treated with antiparasitic drugs, like mebendazole.
