Chickenpox (Varicella) Chickenpox (Varicella) What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that usually occurs during childhood. By adulthood, more than 90 percent of Americans have had chickenpox. The dis...
Childhood Immunizations Childhood Immunizations The importance of immunizations Immunization is key to preventing disease among the general population. Vaccines benefit both the people who receive them, and the vulnerable, ...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome What is chronic fatigue syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition characterized by profound tiredness, regardless of bed rest. CFS symptoms may act...
Common Cold Common Cold What is the common cold? The common cold is one of the most common illnesses, leading to more doctor visits and absences from school and work than any other illness every year. It is esti...
Common Infectious Diseases Common Infectious Diseases Many infectious diseases require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some of these diseases, for which we have...
Dealing with Discrimination When You Have HIV Dealing with Discrimination When You Have HIV We've come a long way in our understanding of HIV and AIDS, but discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS is still rampant. Advances in research have m...
Diphtheria Diphtheria What is diphtheria? Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease that can infect the body in the tonsils, nose, or throat (respiratory diphtheria) and/or the skin (skin or cutaneous diphtheria...
Escherichia coli O157:H7 Escherichia coli O157:H7 What is E. coli O157:H7? Escherichia coli (or simply E. coli) is one of the many groups of bacteria that live in the intestines of healthy humans and most warm-blooded animal...
Gangrene Gangrene Gangrene is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition that happens when the blood flow to a large group of tissues is cut off. This causes them to rot and die. Although gangrene often turn...
Giardiasis Giardiasis What is giardiasis? Giardiasis is an infectious diarrheal disease caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis ), which can be transmitt...
Glossary - Infectious Diseases Glossary - Infectious Diseases | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [return to...
Hand Washing Handwashing What is the best way to wash hands? At home or work, wash your hands often—and properly: Use clean, running water; if available, use warm water. Wet your hands before applying soap. Rub y...
HIV and AIDS HIV and AIDS What is AIDS? AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which kills or impairs cells of the immune system and progressively destroys...
HIV and Dementia HIV and Dementia HIV/AIDS affects many of the body's organ systems, including the brain and nervous system. Most people don' know that HIV infection actually makes its way to the brain early in the d...
HIV/AIDS and Skin Conditions HIV/AIDS and Skin Conditions Skin conditions are common in people with HIV/AIDS. Many, including Kaposi sarcoma, thrush, and herpes, are caused by germs that take advantage of a weakened immune syste...
Home Page - Infectious Diseases Topic Index The Immune System Statistics Common Infectious Diseases Prevention of Infectious Diseases Glossary Fighting infectious diseases today is much easier than in the past. With proper hygiene ...
Infectious Diseases on the Job Infectious Diseases on the Job The health care professionals who take care of you are exposed to many different illnesses and diseases. By taking proper precautions, these health care professionals p...
Infectious Mononucleosis Mononucleosis What is infectious mononucleosis? Infectious mononucleosis, also known as mononucleosis, "mono," or glandular fever, is characterized by swollen lymph glands, fever, sore throat, and ch...
Influenza (Flu) Influenza (Flu) What is influenza (flu)? Influenza (or flu) is a highly contagious viral respiratory tract infection. An estimated 5 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. get influenza each year. Influ...
Lyme Disease Lyme Disease What are the dangers of tick bites? While most tick bites are harmless, several species can transmit life-threatening diseases. Two of these well-known diseases are Rocky Mountain Spotte...
Malaria Malaria What is malaria? Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes are present in the tropics and subtrop...
Measles Measles What is measles? Measles, also known as rubeola, is a viral illness characterized by a distinct rash and a fever. Spread through airborne droplets of nasal secretions, measles is very contagi...
Meningitis Meningitis What is meningitis? Click Image to Enlarge Meningitis is a disease caused by an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain. The inflammation is usually caused by i...
Mumps in Adults Mumps in Adults What is mumps? Mumps is an acute and highly contagious viral illness that usually occurs in childhood. Spread by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract, the disease usuall...
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection A necrotizing soft tissue infection is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment to keep it from destroying skin, muscle, and other sof...
Online Resources - Infectious Diseases Online Resources - Infectious Diseases This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medic...
Pets and Infectious Diseases Pets and Infectious Diseases Proper care of your pet may prevent him or her from becoming ill and infecting the household. Further, to prevent the spread of disease from your pet, take the following ...
Pneumocystis Pneumonia Pneumocystis Pneumonia Many people live with the fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci in their lungs every day. Most of the time, the organism causes little to no trouble for people with a healthy and strong...
Pneumonia Pneumonia Respiratory System - Click to Enlarge What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or chemical irritants. It is a serious inf...
Poliomyelitis (Polio) Poliomyelitis (Polio) What is poliomyelitis (polio)? Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by three types of poliovirus. The poliovirus is a virus most recognized for its des...
Preventing Opportunistic Infections in HIV/AIDS Preventing Opportunistic Infections in HIV/AIDS HIV attacks the cells of your body's immune system. You need a strong immune system to fight off germs like bacteria and viruses, so having HIV may giv...
Prevention of Infectious Diseases Prevention of Infectious Diseases Prevention is the key to stopping the spread of many infectious diseases and sometimes can make the difference between life and death. Handwashing is the single most...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is an infection caused by the bite of an infected tick. In recent years, it has affected over 2,000 people a year in the U.S. a...
Rubella (German Measles) Rubella (German Measles) What is rubella (German measles)? Rubella, sometimes called German measles, is an acute viral infection that causes a mild illness in children and slightly more severe illnes...
Salmonella Infections Salmonella Infections What are Salmonella infections? Salmonella infections are diarrheal infections caused by the bacteria Salmonella. The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can ca...
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Click Image to Enlarge What is SARS? Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a rapidly spreading, potentially fatal infectious viral disease. According to...
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases transmitted through sexual contact. The CDC estimates that 19...
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Shingles (Herpes Zoster) What is shingles? Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a common viral infection of the nerves, which results in a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin anywhere on the ...
Statistics of Infectious Disease Statistics of Infectious Disease The following statistics are the latest available from the National Center for Health Statistics (part of the CDC) and the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases:...
Tetanus Tetanus What is tetanus? Tetanus is an acute, sometimes fatal, disease of the central nervous system, caused by the toxin of the tetanus bacterium, which usually enters the body through an open wound...
The Immune System The Immune System What is the immune system? The purpose of the immune system is to keep infectious microorganisms, such as certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi, out of the body, and to destroy any i...
Topic Index - Infectious Diseases Topic Index - Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases Home The Immune System Statistics Common Infectious Diseases HIV/AIDS HIV and Dementia HIV/AIDS and Skin Conditions Pneumocystis Pneumonia Preven...
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) What is toxic shock syndrome? Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) describes a cluster of symptoms that involve many systems of the body. The following bacteria commonly cause TSS: S...
Tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis (TB) Click Image to Enlarge What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial infection that usually infects the lungs, although other organs such as the kidneys, spine, or ...
Viral Hepatitis Overview Viral Hepatitis Overview What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that results in liver cell damage and destruction. Click Image to Enlarge Hepatitis can be categorized in two groups...
West Nile Virus West Nile Virus What is the West Nile virus? The West Nile virus belongs to a group of viruses known as flaviviruses, commonly found in Africa, West Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Flaviviruses ar...
When You’re HIV-Positive: What to Say When You're HIV-Positive: What to Say Learning that you are HIV-positive can be traumatic and intensely stressful, although the diagnosis is not as terrifying as it used to be thanks to new and bette...
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Adults Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Adults What is whooping cough (pertussis)? Whooping cough, or pertussis, is very contagious and primarily affects infants and young children. Caused by a bacterium calle...