Index
- The most frequent infectious pathologies
- Modes of transmission of infectious diseases
- Infectious pathologies according to their severity
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
The most frequent infectious pathologies
An infectious pathology is transmitted by an infectious agent. This can be a protozoan, a bacterium, a virus, a fungus or a parasite. It can be serious or benign depending on the case. In the case of zoonoses, it is transmitted from animal to human or from one person to another. Some of these diseases still claim victims in fashion today, such as AIDS or malaria. It can also be contagious.
Modes of transmission of infectious diseases
There are 4 modes of transmission of infectious pathologies. The routes are: oral, airborne, contact and parenteral.
- Infectious pathology is transmitted to the patient through the food he swallows. The water and food he swallows has been contaminated through the excrement of sick carriers or animals. Diarrhoea is the most frequent sign of this.
- Transmission by air: It is done directly by respiratory secretions or droplets of saliva that a person emits when speaking, coughing or sneezing.
- Transmission by contact: Microbes are transmitted from one individual to another by simple contact or through sexual intercourse.
- Parenteral transmission: It is done through an accident or through blood. These are the means by which germs enter the body. Accidents are caused by bites, stings or wounds that cause sores. In the bloodstream, infection occurs through unsterilized materials that transmit germs.
Infectious pathologies according to their severity
Infectious pathologies can no longer be counted and manifest themselves in many forms. They can be benign and can be treated quickly, or they can be more serious and require a long treatment.
Infectious diseases are winter, childhood, eye diseases, fungus and STIs. Here are some of them with their transmission, symptoms and prevention.
Influenza
It is an acute and contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by the Influenza virus. The epidemic is seasonal and occurs in every cold season. The virus is transmitted through the air after a cough or sneeze. You can be affected several times.
The symptoms of the flu are:
- Headaches
- A fever
- A dry cough
- Aches and pains
- Fatigue
- Either a runny nose or a blocked nose
The vaccine is the first tool for preventing this infectious pathology. Vaccination is carried out every year. Its composition is reconsidered each year, as new strains may appear each time. The barrier measures to be adopted to prevent the spread of the disease are:
- Ventilation for a quarter of an hour a day
- Regular hand washing
- Sneeze or cough in the elbows
Pneumonia
It is an infection of the bronchioles and alveoli in the lung caused by a virus, fungus or bacteria and can be fatal. It is the germ that causes the infection that makes it mild or very serious. Viruses are spread by inhalation or by air through droplets from coughing or sneezing.
If this infectious pathology is due to a bacterium, the symptoms are:
- Chest pain
- A tachycardia
- Sputum
- A high temperature
- Coughing
- Thrills and chills
The symptoms of viral pneumonia are similar to those of the flu.
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Aches and pains
- A fever
- Respiratory discomfort which may be accentuated when the infectious pathology is serious
The vaccines recommended for the prevention of this pathology are anti-pneumococcal and antiviral. The vaccine must be given every 5 years, especially to adults over 65 years of age at risk. In children under 2 years of age, the first injection is given at 2 months of age with a booster at 11 months. In at- risk infants and premature babies, there will be a booster and 3 injections.
Meningitis
It consists of inflammation of the meninges, the envelopes of the brain and spinal cord. This infectious pathology can be viral or bacterial. The latter is more serious than the viral one and requires urgent care. The bacterium is transmitted through secretions from the nose and throat and saliva, and therefore through contact with an infected person, through kissing, sharing lipstick, cigarettes, glasses, bottles. Viral meningitis is transmitted by many routes.
- Blood circulation
- An insect bite
- Contact with contaminated food
- Sexual intercourse
- Contaminated faeces
- Inhalation
- The use of infected syringes among drug users
Initially, the symptoms of meningitis are the same as those of a viral infection: fever, muscle pain all over the body, feeling unwell and headache. Stiffness in the neck may occur, making movement impossible.
The evolution of this infectious pathology can lead to serious complications: mental deficiency, brain damage, epilepsy, deafness, learning or attention disorders.
The prevention of this disease is the meningitis vaccine. There are different kinds of meningitis vaccines. The meningococcal C vaccine is recommended for all infants at the age of 5 months, with a booster at 12 months.
