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Infectious diseases can be caused by: Bacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis. Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS. Fungi.
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through stool (feces).
Viruses are responsible for causing many diseases, including: Common cold. Influenza. Measles. Chickenpox and shingles. Coronavirus disease 2019, also called COVID-19. Antibiotics kill or block activities bacteria need to live or grow, but antibiotics don't work on viruses. Medicine that treats viral infections is called an antiviral.
Bacteria and parasites. Exposure to certain bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, or parasites through contaminated food or water can lead to diarrhea. When traveling in developing countries, diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites is often called traveler's diarrhea.
Lyme disease is caused by borrelia bacteria. In North America, the black-legged tick, also called the deer tick, mainly carry the bacteria. In Europe, a different species of borrelia causes Lyme disease.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Learn more about the symptoms, risks and ways to protect yourself.
Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (truh-KOH-muh-tis) bacteria and spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex. You might not know you have chlamydia because many people don't have symptoms, such as genital pain and discharge from the vagina or penis.
Most often, you don't need medical care for a common cold. If symptoms don't get better or if they get worse, see your health care provider. Illnesses of the nose and throat caused by germs are called upper respiratory tract infections.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. The germs that cause tuberculosis are a type of bacteria. Tuberculosis can spread when a person with the illness coughs, sneezes or sings. This can put tiny droplets with the germs into the air. Another person can then breathe in the droplets, and the germs enter the lungs.
Staph infections can range from minor skin problems to life-threatening illness. For example, endocarditis, a serious infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium) can be caused by staph bacteria. Signs and symptoms of staph infections vary widely, depending on the location and severity of the infection.