Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, which invade the body and disrupt normal biological functions. These pathogens can spread in various ways, including direct person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, insect bites, or contact with infected animals or surfaces. Examples of infectious diseases include bacterial infections like tuberculosis and pneumonia, viral diseases such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, fungal infections like athlete's foot and candidiasis, and parasitic diseases such as malaria and giardiasis. The symptoms of infectious diseases can range from mild, like fever and fatigue, to severe, including respiratory distress, organ failure, or death if not treated. Prevention methods include vaccines, good hygiene practices, and vector control (such as mosquito nets for malaria), while treatment often involves antibiotics for bacterial infections, antivirals for viral infections, and antifungals for fungal diseases. Despite advances in medicine, infectious diseases remain a major global health threat due to the emergence of new pathogens and growing concerns over antibiotic resistance.