Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Infectious diseases are caused by infectious organisms. Typically, these are bacteria, …

Introduction

Infectious diseases are caused by infectious organisms. Typically, these are bacteria, viruses, fungi, or worms/ helminths. Under normal circumstances, when the immune system of the host is fully functional, disease symptoms may not develop. If the host immune system is compromised, or the infectious agent overwhelms the immune system, an infectious disease ensues. Most infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminthes, rickettsia, and fungi. Prions are responsible for slow-progressing neurological disorders such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

With the discovery of penicillins, it appeared as that infectious diseases, in particular bacterial infections, would no longer be a major public health problem. However, with the development of drug-resistant bacteria, fatal viral diseases such as AIDS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by variants of Corona viruses, this early optimism appears unwarranted. Although quarantine is effective in controlling the spread of diseases such as SARS and hemorrhagic fevers caused by Ebola virus, there is no effective treatment yet for many infectious diseases.

Emerging infectious diseases is an expression used to describe a number of new infectious diseases. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is such an example of an emerging infectious disease, where a severe variant of Corona virus spread across continents within a matter of weeks. Mad cow disease, a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, is another rare, but widely publicized, infection caused by prions.

Definition

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by an infectious organism such as a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a prion, a worm, or other parasite. Prions are infectious proteins that are transmitted either by inheritance or by eating/receiving contaminated meat or other biological product.

Consequences

The consequences of infectious disease vary depending on the infectious agent and can range from mild inflammation to life-threatening illness.

Etiology

Infectious diseases are caused by a bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, or prion. Each infectious agent displays a specific origin and has unique properties.

Epidemiology

Infectious diseases are caused by microbes and prions. Bacteria have existed for about 4 billion years, with new species emerging on a regular basis. Although infectious diseases are found thoughout the world, the type of infection may vary depending on the climate, sanitary conditions, and other environmental factors.

Standard Therapies

There are many drugs used for the treatment of infectious diseases. The general classes include antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals.

Other Information – Web Sites

Centers for Disease Control in the United States of America maintains an up-to-date website: http://www.cdc.gov

World Health Organization is a good source of information on a number infectious diseases and their impact worldwide: http://www.who.int/