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Categories of diseases
There are two major types of diseases:
Infectious diseases
Noninfectious diseases
As the names indicate, both categories have their kinds of mechanisms for making a person sick.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are caused by infectious agents. These infectious agents have their modes of causing diseases. People with different immune systems show different kinds of symptoms. The common flu and typhoid fever are the most common examples of infectious diseases.
For example, the flu can infect people differently. Those with weak immune systems would be affected more severely. On the other hand, healthy people would experience a few unnoticeable symptoms.
Noninfectious diseases
Noninfectious diseases are those illnesses that are not caused by some microbes. In this category, a person suffers from these diseases due to nutritional, environmental, age-related, and other complications going on within the human body.
Difference between Infectious and Noninfectious diseases
Another difference that lies is the way how these diseases can spread to the population. Infectious diseases can be transmitted to other people by different means i.e. direct contact or contaminated foods and beverages. Noninfectious diseases cannot be transmitted to other people no matter how close they live.
Examples of infectious diseases are flu, typhoid, cholera, and ringworm. Common examples of noninfectious diseases are diabetes, cancers, and Ricketts.
Routes of transmission of infectious diseases
The etiology of infectious diseases is infectious agents. These are microbes of different kinds. These diseases spread rapidly when the agent is transferred to other people living in a community.
The route of transmission of these agents is by two means. It can be spread through direct contact in which person-to-person contact is involved or through contaminated food and water. The diseases caused by polluted or contaminated water or food are transmitted massively. Their control is quite difficult.
The transmission via direct contact can be through body fluid pathogens, and bug bites. These body fluids can transmit pathogens through cough, sneezing, blood-having agents, and open wounds. In case there are cuts or bruises on the skin, it can invite skin pathogens to cause skin-related diseases. Sometimes these agents become part of the bloodstream after entering through bruised skin.
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Staying at distance can prevent infections to spread |
Infectious agents
When the topic of discussion is infectious diseases then the first word that comes to mind is the culprit causing these diseases.
There are five main types of infectious agents which are listed below:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Prions
Viral agents
Viruses belong to a group of microorganisms that consists of either DNA or RNA. They become a part of our body cells. They can develop master-slave relationships within the body. Viruses command host cells to perform their replication. In this way, a whole new set of viruses is released into the body.
Viruses cannot replicate on their own. They need a host cell with whom they develop this relationship resulting in viral infections. Viral diseases can be mild as well as attention-seeking. Most viral infections are transmitted by direct contact and body fluids.
The common examples of viral infections are as follow:
- Common cold
- Influenza with varying degrees of severity
- Hepatitis B and C
- HIV
- Respiratory syncytial virus
Bacterial agents
Bacterial agents are comprised of simple cellular structures with DNA. The interesting thing about bacteria is that they are present in our bodies. There are many types of bacteria. A few types are harmless and beneficial. Some can cause severe infections that require medical attention.
Common examples of bacterial infections are as follow:
- Typhoid
- Tuberculosis
- Strep throat
- E.coli infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Tetanus
Fungal agents
Fungi belong to a group of microorganisms with variable specifications. They are found in abundance in nature. Fungal agents are found in the human body as naturally cohabitate. They pose no problem, however, they can overgrow and break a delicate balance of good and bad fungi. In this case, the human body is sensitive to infections caused by fungal agents. They are mainly found in reproductive tracts and skin.
Fungal infections are more likely to compromise life quality. Such infections need special care and prolonged management. They can cause problems in the respiratory tract, reproductive system, and skin. Their main route of entry is through the mouth, nose, and skin.
The most common examples of fungal infections are as follow:
- Vaginal yeast infections ( vaginal thrush )
- Ringworm
- Oral thrush
- Nail infectious caused by fungi
Parasitic agents
Protozoans and worms are collectively named parasites. They survive by feeding on the body of the host. Normally they are big and clear enough to be visible to the human eye. They are usually transmitted by pets and contaminated foods and beverages.
The most common examples of parasitic infestations are as follow:
- Hookworms
- Pinworms
- Toxoplasmosis
Prions
Prions are very complicated. They are protein particles that are faulty. They get to accumulate in organs of the human body like the brain. Infections and illnesses caused by prions are rare yet significant as these are harmful to the body. Detailed research is required in this area of disease. Little is known till now.
Nosocomial infections
Nosocomial infections belong to infectious diseases. These are caused within a community having health problems. Nosocomial infections are generally considered hospital-acquired infections.
They are spread after exposure to confined spaces within a hospital or nursery.
People working in healthcare facilities, and pharmacies are more prone to these infections.
The most common nosocomial infections are listed below:
- Influenza
- Respiratory tract infections
- Open skin wound infections
- Urinary tract infections
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| Precautionary measures are mandatory to avoid nosocomial infections! |
Handling plans for infectious diseases
Treatment for infectious diseases is planned as per the source of infection. Microorganisms are of different types and they behave differently and attack differently inside and outside of the body. Medication is done according to the etiological agent.
Antibiotics are used against bacterial infections. There are multiple classes of antibiotics and they are used according to the severity and route of infections. They are administered orally as well as via bloodstream through injections.The severity of the clinical symptoms would decide the span of administration protocol for antibiotics.
Viral problems are normally looked after with over-the-counter medicines. Most viral problems are self-limiting and get better after a certain time. However, in severe cases, these are managed with help of antiviral medication that targets the genetic material of viruses and eliminates them from the body. Supplements are also given with antivirals to cope with immune deficiency and associated problems i.e. secondary infections.
Fungal infections are managed with antifungals. These can be administered orally or cutaneously depending upon the site of infection. The common plan for fungal infections is via topically applied medicines.
Parasitic infestations are controlled by using properly prescribed Antiparasitic medicines.
Handling against prions required further studies as currently there is no backup data available. It needs to be improved in the coming years.
Predisposing factors for infectious problems
Controlling the factors that can lead to an increase in the rate of infectious diseases can help to stay away from such infections. The list of predisposing factors is as follows for the sake of information and help:
- Too young and old age
- Immune deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Prolonged exposure to contaminated air
- Contact with patients with infectious diseases
- Silent carriers of infectious agents
- Exposure to body fluids of patients
- Poor hygiene
- Water contaminated with pathogens
- Food contaminated with pathogens
- Traveling to a disease-endemic area
- Avoiding vaccination schedules for viral agents
- Healthcare workers
- Residing in mosquito, bugs, and parasite riched area
- Consumption of poorly cooked food
- Poor hygiene of pets
- Ignoring vaccines for pets
Take home message
Infectious diseases can be prevented and controlled. However, our environment is full of microorganisms including pathogens. Our body needs special attention to prevent such diseases.
Vaccination and basic self-care practices are necessary to stay away from infectious agents. Poor hygiene and carelessness in contaminated environments are the most common reasons for diseases. Infectious problems are not confined to one person they can make the whole community sick. The area becomes endemic to specific diseases resulting in a higher rate of sickness and infections.
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| Stay safe and keep others safe! |
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