Infection develops when the microbes invade the body and continue to multiply causing various associated symptoms. This can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Most of the infectious diseases are transmitted by contacting the person or the animal that is infected. This can occur from person to person, animal to person or mother to her unborn child. The infectious diseases can also be passed through the indirect contact by touching the contaminated surfaces such as faucet handle or the tabletop and by consuming contaminated food. Some of the infections include cholera, dengue, hepatitis, meningitis, pneumonia, strep throat, fungal infections, tuberculosis and the urinary tract infection.
Dengue
This is one of the leading causes of illness in the tropics that is caused by one of the dengue virus. The symptoms include a severe headache, high fever, pain behind the eyes, bone pain, mild bleeding on the gums and muscle aches. There is no cure for dengue and the treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms by using pain relievers.
Cholera
This is the acute diarrheal disease that can cause the death of the affected individual if left untreated. Although most of the affected individuals don’t have any symptoms, it can include watery diarrhea that develops after consuming the contaminated food or water. Cholera is treated with the administration of oral rehydration solution to prevent severe dehydration.
Hepatitis A
This is the viral liver disease that is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food, water or with direct contact with an infected person. Unlike the other types of hepatitis, this does not cause the chronic liver disease but can cause debilitating symptoms such as jaundice, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, dark-colored urine, nausea, fever and loss of appetite. Recovery from the symptoms can take as long as several months and there is no specific treatment available for this condition. The treatment is usually focused on the replacement of fluids and in maintaining the general comfort of the affected individual.
Meningitis
This is the inflammation of the protective membrane of the brain and the spinal cord known as the meninges. This occurs as the result of bacterial or viral infection but can also develop from an injury or the use of certain medications. Bacterial meningitis caused by the streptococcus and Neisseria meningitidis can be a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention. The viral meningitis is less severe and the recovery is possible among individuals with a healthy immune system. The other types of meningitis include fungal meningitis, parasitic meningitis and amebic meningitis.
Pneumonia
This commonly develops as the result of complications that occur from a respiratory infection. The causes of pneumonia include bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas, fungi and various chemicals. Some of the common symptoms of this condition include a cough, fever, shaking chills and shortness of breath. The treatment is based on the cause of pneumonia. The severe cases are treated with antibiotics and may receive oxygen therapy and fluids. Most of the healthy individuals can recover completely from pneumonia within a few weeks.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/symptoms-causes/dxc-20168651
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/faqfacts/index.html
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs107/en/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs328/en/
https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/
