What causes you common infectious diseases and the precautions you need to take to protect yourself Germs, viruses, bacteria and microorganisms are found everywhere, even on your skin and inside your body. Though most of them are harmless, some do cause you harm and can be the reason behind your infectious diseases. Bacteria may give off toxins that can make you sick. Viruses contain genetic material that invade your cells and multiply there. They can kill, damage, or change the cells and make you sick. Parasites survive by living on other organisms. Malaria is an infection which is caused by the anopheles mosquito. Fungi is a plant-like organism, such as mold, yeast and mildew, which is the common cause behind the fungal infection, known as Athlete’s Foot. Transmission of infection-causing diseases may occur in a variety of ways, such as person-to-person direct contact, water or foodborne illnesses, and through mosquitoes and ticks. Some people are more susceptible to infectious diseases, such as those with the suppressed immune system, when their immune system does not work optimally or to full strength. Similarly, those having cancer treatment or recently had an organ transplant are also at an increased risk of infectious diseases. People travelling to the high risk areas, such as marshlands, jungles and rainforests, where the presence of mosquitoes, germs and microorganisms is relatively high. Similarly, people not vaccinated against common diseases, such as typhoid or polio, or pandemic causing viruses, such as coronavirus, are more likely to be easily infected. Reasons and symptoms of infectious diseases Infectious diseases spread in multiple ways, like direct contact with a sick individual, skin-to-skin contact such as handshake, touching the objects touched by other people also, such as a lift button, sneezing and coughing. Contact with body fluids, such as contaminated blood and saliva may also cause infectious diseases. Getting in contact with infected hospital materials, such as blood-soaked bandages, gloves, gowns, discarded syringes, and vaccines may also contribute to the spread of infection. Some of the common symptoms of infectious diseases include:
Fever Wheezing Chills Fatigue Congestion Skin-rashes, and Headache
Most of these complications usually disappear as the infection resolves. However, some other diseases, such as Shigella, may cause more serious symptoms, such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and shock.