Infectious Diseases

Our dedicated medical teams provide skilled care for people with contagious illnesses, injuries, and other health problems. They're experts in their fields and work hard to help patients recover.

Many infectious illnesses have unique symptoms. However, some signs are common to several different infections. These common symptoms include:

• Fever: A higher-than-normal body temperature. This is the body's way of fighting off the infection.
• Diarrhea: Frequent loose bowel movements. This can be a symptom of many different infections, as the body tries to get rid of the illness-causing germs.
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired and weak. This is a common response to the body's effort to fight off an illness.
• Muscle aches: Pain in the muscles. This can be caused by the body's immune system working hard to combat the infection.
• Coughing: A forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. Coughing is another way the body tries to clear out irritants, including germs causing infections.

If you're experiencing any of the following, it's important to see a doctor right away:

• Animal bites: If an animal has bitten you, get medical attention. This is crucial to prevent infection and address any potential injuries. Seek care even if the bite seems minor.

• Breathing problems: If you're having trouble breathing, it's a serious sign. This could be due to various things, from allergies to more serious conditions. Don't delay getting help.

• Persistent cough: A cough that lasts more than a week might indicate an underlying health issue. It's important to see a doctor to figure out the cause and get appropriate treatment.

• Severe headache with fever: A bad headache accompanied by a fever could signal a problem like meningitis or other illnesses. Don't wait—see a doctor right away.

• Rash or swelling: A rash or swelling, especially if it's sudden or spreading, could be a sign of an allergic reaction or infection. Get medical attention to determine the cause and get proper treatment.

• Unexplained fever: If you have a fever that doesn't seem to have a clear reason or lasts for an extended period, it's best to see a doctor. A fever can be a symptom of many different illnesses.

• Sudden vision problems: If you suddenly have trouble seeing, this is a medical emergency. Vision problems can be caused by various conditions that need immediate attention. Don't delay seeking help.

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by tiny organisms that can spread from one person to another. These organisms come in different forms:

• Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled organisms. They can cause a variety of illnesses. Examples include strep throat, infections of the urinary tract (like a bladder infection), and tuberculosis, a lung disease. Bacteria can also cause other infections in the body.

• Viruses: Viruses are even smaller than bacteria. They cause a wide range of diseases. The common cold, the flu, and AIDS are all caused by viruses. Viruses need a living host (like a person) to reproduce, which is why they can spread so easily.

• Fungi: Fungi are another type of organism that can cause illness. Many skin infections, such as ringworm and athlete's foot, are caused by fungi. Some types of fungi can also infect internal organs, such as the lungs or the nervous system. Fungal infections can develop in various parts of the body.

• Parasites: Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism, called a host, and get nourishment from it. Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. This parasite is carried by mosquitoes. Other parasites can be passed to humans through contact with animal waste or other contaminated substances. This means that coming into contact with animal feces or contaminated water sources can lead to parasitic infections.

Infectious diseases can affect anyone, but some people are more vulnerable. A strong immune system is key to fighting off these illnesses. Your immune system might not work as well if:

• You're taking certain medicines: Some medications, like steroids and drugs that prevent organ rejection after a transplant, weaken your immune system. This makes you more susceptible to infections.
• You have HIV or AIDS: HIV and AIDS directly attack the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.
• You have certain health problems: Some cancers and other illnesses can damage the immune system, leaving you more open to getting sick.

Other factors can also increase your risk. For example:

• Medical implants: Devices like pacemakers or artificial joints can sometimes become points of infection.
• Poor nutrition: If you're not getting enough nutrients, your immune system can't function at its best, making you more prone to illness.
• Age: Both very young children and older adults often have less robust immune systems than other people. This is why they might be more vulnerable to infections.

Many illnesses caused by germs are mild. However, some infections, like pneumonia, AIDS, and meningitis, can be serious and even life-threatening. Certain infections can also raise your risk of getting cancer later in life.

For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is connected to cervical cancer. This means if you get HPV, you have a greater chance of developing cervical cancer in the future. Another example is Helicobacter pylori, a germ that can cause stomach ulcers. Studies show that having this germ can also increase your risk of stomach cancer. Similarly, hepatitis B and C infections have been linked to liver cancer. This means having these viruses can make you more likely to get liver cancer later.

Some infections can hide for a while and then reappear later, sometimes even after many years. Chickenpox, for instance, is a common childhood illness. Sometimes, people who had chickenpox later in life might develop shingles, a painful skin condition. This shows that some infections can have long-term effects.

Protecting Yourself from Getting Sick: Simple Steps You Can Take

Preventing illness is easier than you might think. Here are some straightforward steps to lower your risk of getting sick:

1. Wash Your Hands Frequently: Washing your hands is a very important way to stop germs from spreading. Make sure to wash your hands:

• Before and after handling food
• Before eating
• After using the restroom
• After touching things like door handles, or toys
• Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth) with unwashed hands. Germs often enter your body this way.

2. Get Vaccinated: Vaccines are a powerful tool for protecting you from many diseases. Make sure you and your children are up-to-date on recommended vaccines. Talk to your doctor about which shots are right for you.

3. Stay Home When You're Sick: If you're feeling unwell, it's best to stay home. Don't go to work or school if you have symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever. This prevents the spread of illness to others. Keep your children home from school if they are sick, too.

4. Prepare Food Safely: Food safety is crucial to prevent illness.

• Keep your kitchen surfaces clean while you cook.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure food is cooked to the correct temperature. This is essential to kill harmful bacteria. Different foods need different temperatures:
  • Ground meats: At least 160°F (71°C)
  • Poultry: At least 165°F (74°C)
  • Most other meats: At least 145°F (63°C)
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Don't let cooked food sit out at room temperature for extended periods.

5. Practice Safe Sex: If you are sexually active, using condoms consistently is important. This can help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Talk to your doctor if you have questions about safe sex practices.

6. Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Sharing personal items like toothbrushes, combs, razors, and drinking glasses can spread germs. Use your own items to avoid this risk.

7. Travel Responsibly: If you are traveling to a new country, talk to your doctor about any necessary vaccinations. Some countries may have diseases that are not common in your area. Your doctor can tell you if you need vaccines for places you plan to visit.

Doctors use various tests to figure out what's causing your illness.

Many illnesses have similar symptoms. Sometimes, testing samples of body fluids can show the exact germ causing the problem. This helps doctors choose the best treatment.

Medical images, like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, help doctors find the source of your symptoms and rule out other possible problems.

Sometimes, a small piece of tissue from an organ is taken (a biopsy) and tested. For example, a lung biopsy can help find types of fungi that can cause pneumonia.

Here are some common types of tests:

• Blood tests: A healthcare professional uses a needle to take a sample of your blood, usually from a vein in your arm.

• Urine tests: You collect urine in a container. To avoid contamination, you might be asked to clean your genital area first and collect the urine in the middle of your stream. This is a painless test.

• Throat swabs: A sterile cotton swab is used to collect a sample from your throat or other moist body areas.

• Stool samples: You may be asked to collect a stool sample for lab analysis to look for parasites or other organisms.

• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around your brain and spinal cord) is taken using a needle inserted between the bones in your lower back. You'll likely be asked to lie on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest for this procedure.

Identifying the specific germ causing your illness helps doctors choose the best treatment.

Doctors group similar antibiotics into families, and they also group similar germs, like strep bacteria or E. coli. Certain germs are more vulnerable to particular types of antibiotics. Knowing the germ type allows doctors to target treatment more effectively.

Antibiotics are mainly used for bacterial infections. They don't work against viruses. However, sometimes it's hard to tell if an illness is caused by bacteria or a virus. For example, pneumonia can be caused by different things, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Using antibiotics too often can make some bacteria resistant to them. This makes treating those bacteria harder.

Medicines exist to treat some viral illnesses, but not all. For example, there are treatments for:

• HIV/AIDS
• Herpes
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• The flu (influenza)

Fungi can cause skin or nail infections, which can be treated with creams or ointments (topical antifungals). More serious fungal infections, like those affecting the lungs or the insides of your body, might need pills (oral antifungals). Very serious internal fungal infections, especially in people with weak immune systems, might require medicine given directly into a vein (intravenous antifungals).

Some diseases, like malaria, are caused by tiny organisms called parasites. While medicines exist to treat these diseases, some types of parasites have developed resistance to the drugs.