Infections | Pathogens | Infectious diseases

 


Generally, infectious diseases are caused by harmful agents called pathogens which typically get into your body. Common causes of infectious diseases are viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Usually, these infectious diseases spread from one person to another through contaminated food or water and also from bug bites. But some infections are minor and some are serious illnesses.


Causes 


Typically, infectious diseases are caused by various agents that usually enters your body from the outside which includes:


  • Viruses.

  • Bacteria.

  • Fungi.

  • Parasites.

  • Prions.


You may experience some symptoms when your cells are damaged or destroyed by the entering organisms and how your immune system responds to the infection.


Types of infectious diseases


Infectious disease can be viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infections. And there is a rare group of infectious diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or TSEs.


  • Viral infections:  Usually, viruses are the pieces of DNA or RNA information which is inside of a protective shell called capsid. Viruses are tinier than your cells and no way to reproduce on their own. Typically, these viruses get inside your cells and they use your cell's machinery to make copies.


  • Bacterial infections: Bacteria are single celled organisms which write their instructions on a small piece of DNA. Usually, bacterias present all around us which includes the inside of your body and also on your skin. But many of the bacteria are harmless but some bacteria release toxins which makes you sick.


  • Fungal infections: Like bacteria infections, there are many other fungi. Usually, fungi live in and on your body. You can get sick if your fungi overgrown or harmful fungi get into your body through your mouth,nose and open wounds on your skin.


  • Parasitic infections: Parasites will use the bodies of many other organisms which helps to live and reproduce. Parasites include worms or helminths and protozoa which are single-celled organisms.


  • Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs or prion diseases): Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are caused by prions which are faulty proteins that cause other proteins in your body particularly in your brain. Your body is unable to use these proteins so they build up and make you sick. Prions are a rare cause of infectious diseases.


Common infectious diseases


Most common infectious diseases are listed below by type.


Common infectious illnesses caused by viruses:


  • Common cold.

  • The flu or influenza.

  • COVID-19.

  • Stomach flu or gastroenteritis.

  • Hepatitis.

  • Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.


Common infectious illnesses caused by bacteria:

  • Strep throat.

  • Salmonella.

  • Tuberculosis.

  • Whooping cough or pertussis.

  • Chlamydia, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

  • Urinary tract infections or UTIs.

  • E. coli.

  • Clostridioides difficile or C. diff


Common infectious illnesses caused by fungi:

  • Ringworm or athlete’s foot

  • Fungal nail infections.

  • Vaginal candidiasis and vaginal yeast infection.

  • Thrush.


Common infectious illnesses caused by parasites:

  • Giardiasis.

  • Toxoplasmosis.

  • Hookworms.

  • Pinworms.


Symptoms of infectious diseases


Generally, symptoms of infectious diseases will depend on the type of illness you have. Fungal infections caused some local symptoms like rash and itching. Viral and bacterial infections may have symptoms in many parts of your body like:


  • Fever.

  • Chills.

  • Congestion.

  • Cough.

  • Fatigue.

  • Muscle aches and headaches.

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.


If you have any chronic symptoms or symptoms that get worse over time so you have to see a doctor.


Diagnosis


Generally, your provider  diagnoses infectious disease using a series of lab tests. Your professional can look for symptoms of disease by:


  • Swab test by swabbing your nose or throat.

  • Get samples of blood, pee (urine), poop (stool) or spit (saliva) for lab tests.

  • Take a biopsy or take a small sample of skin or tissues.

  • Get an imaging test like X-rays, CT scans or MRIs of affected body parts.

  • Some test results like from a swab of the nose, it will come back quickly but other results may take longer. For example, bacteria has to be grown in a lab from a sample before you get the result.


Treatment


Usually, treatment depends on causes of infection. Your healthcare provider will suggest monitoring your symptoms rather than taking drugs.


  • Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics. The right antibiotic drug will depends on what bacteria causes the infection

  • You can manage the viral infections with counter medications for your symptoms until you recover. If you have the flu, your provider may suggest taking oseltamivir phosphate in some cases. Specific viral diseases  have special drugs to treat them such as antiretroviral therapy for HIV.

  • Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal drugs. You can take drugs orally, like fluconazole or put them on your skin just where the fungus is affected such as clotrimazole.

  • Parasites will be treated with antiparasitic drugs like mebendazole.

  • But there are no treatment methods for prion diseases.


Prevention


  • You should wash your hands frequently with soapy hot water.

  • You must cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough

  • You should disinfect the surfaces in your home and workplace. 

  • You must avoid contacting people who are infected.

  • You must wear a mask around others when you are sick.

  • During sex, you can use a condom.


Frequently Asked Questions


Q1. What are the 4 types of infections?

Ans: Infectious diseases can be viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infections.


Q2. What is infection and it causes?

Ans: Infection occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply.


Q3. What is the main source of infection?

Ans: Infections can be caused by a wide range of pathogens, most prominently bacteria and viruses. 


Q4. What are the stages of infection?

Ans: The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence.


Q5. What is bacterial infection?

Ans: Bacterial infections occur when bacteria enter your body.

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