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An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable disease, is an illness resulting from an infection. Infections can be caused by a wide range of pathogens, most prominently bacteria and viruses. [2] Hosts can fight infections using their immune systems.
A contagious disease is an infectious disease that can be spread rapidly in several ways, including direct contact, indirect contact, and Droplet contact. [1] [2] These diseases are caused by organisms such as parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. While many types of organisms live on the human body and are usually harmless, these organisms ...
Major groups of parasites include protozoans (organisms having only one cell) and parasitic worms (helminths). Of these, protozoans, including cryptosporidium, microsporidia, and isospora, are most common in HIV-infected persons. Each of these parasites can infect the digestive tract, and sometimes two or more can cause infection at the same time.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to concepts related to infectious diseases in humans.. Infection – transmission, entry/invasion after evading/overcoming defense, establishment, and replication of disease-causing microscopic organisms (pathogens) inside a host organism, and the reaction of host tissues to them and to the toxins they produce.
Since opportunistic infections can cause severe disease, much emphasis is placed on measures to prevent infection. Such a strategy usually includes restoration of the immune system as soon as possible, avoiding exposures to infectious agents, and using antimicrobial medications ("prophylactic medications") directed against specific infections. [50]
Resistance to treatment may occur in some patients. [1] Giardiasis occurs worldwide. [5] It is one of the most common parasitic human diseases. [3] Infection rates are as high as 7% in the developed world and 30% in the developing world. [1] In 2013, there were approximately 280 million people worldwide with symptomatic cases of giardiasis. [3]
A parasitic disease, also known as parasitosis, is an infectious disease caused by parasites. [1] Parasites are organisms which derive sustenance from its host while causing it harm. [ 2 ] The study of parasites and parasitic diseases is known as parasitology . [ 3 ]
An infectious disease agent can be transmitted in two ways: as horizontal disease agent transmission from one individual to another in the same generation (peers in the same age group) [3] by either direct contact (licking, touching, biting), or indirect contact through air – cough or sneeze (vectors or fomites that allow the transmission of the agent causing the disease without physical ...