List of Communicable Diseases | Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

A communicable disease is an ailment that is spread by coming into touch with disease-causing agents or microorganisms that cause infection. People, animals, food, surfaces, and air may all be carriers of these microbes as they spread infectious diseases from one host to the next. The most frequent ways to become infected are through fluid exchange or contact with a contaminated product or people. Communicable diseases usually referred to as infectious or transmittable diseases, are illnesses caused by an infection. They are caused by microbes invading the body and excreting poisons. A communicable illness is one that spreads from person to person or from animal to person. Communicable illnesses are frequently referred to as “infectious” or “transmissible” diseases. Understand what are communicable diseases in detail in the article below. We have also provided a list of diseases that spread through contact.

Communicable diseases

Infections may be transmitted via a wide range of hosts, including humans and animals, as well as surfaces, liquids, and air. A communicable illness can be caused by parasites in addition to bacterial and viral diseases. Precautions and prevention are critical components of public health programmes. The treatment of communicable illnesses is primarily determined by the cause. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for bacterial infections, although antiviral medications may be all that is required for viral infections. Local health departments are responsible for reporting communicable disease outbreaks to the Department of Public Health in accordance with their rules for disease monitoring and investigation activities. There are several forms of communicable diseases, such as simple, acute infections and more complex chronic disorders that necessitate confinement.

After being infected by the virus, a person may acquire a communicable illness. This might happen via:

Direct contact with a person carrying the pathogen
Contact with contaminated fluids, such as blood, mucus, or saliva
Inhaling contaminated droplets from another person’s cough or sneeze
Receiving a bite from an animal or insect carrying the pathogen
Consuming contaminated water or foods

Once a virus enters a person’s body, it begins to replicate. Symptoms may then begin to appear in the individual. Some symptoms are caused by the infection causing damage to the body’s cells. Others are caused by the immune system’s reaction to the infection. Symptoms of communicable infections are typically modest, and often disappear within a few days. Some, on the other hand, can be dangerous and even fatal.

Communicable diseases

Table of Contents

Infectious disease vs contagious disease

Understand the difference between contagious disease and infectious disease below.

Infectious disease – Microscopic organisms (such as bacteria or viruses) that enter the body and create issues are the source of infectious disorders. Some infectious illnesses, although not all, are transmitted directly from one person to another. Contagious illnesses are infectious diseases that transmit from person to person. Some illnesses are transmitted to humans by an animal or bug but are not transmitted by another human. Lyme disease is one example: you can’t get it from someone you’re socialising with or passing on the street. It is caused by the bite of an infected tick.

Contagious disease – Contagious illnesses (such as the flu, colds, or strep throat) spread in a variety of ways from person to person. One method is by direct physical contact, such as touching or kissing an infected individual. Another method is for an infectious microorganism to spread via the air after someone close sneezes or coughs. People can get infectious diseases by touching or using something that an infected person has handled or used, such as sharing a straw with someone who has mono or stepping into the shower after someone with an athlete’s foot. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transferred by any sort of intercourse. You may help protect yourself against infectious infections by washing your hands frequently, avoiding sick people, getting up to date on any vaccines, and always wearing condoms during any sort of intercourse.

Symptoms

Each infectious disease has its own specific signs and symptoms. General signs and symptoms common to a number of infectious diseases include:

Fever
Diarrhoea
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Coughing

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if you:

Have been bitten by an animal
Are having trouble breathing
Have been coughing for more than a week
Have severe headache with fever
Experience a rash or swelling
Have an unexplained or prolonged fever
Have sudden vision problems

Causes

Bacteria. These one-celled organisms cause diseases such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and TB.
Viruses. Viruses, which are even smaller than bacteria, cause a wide range of illnesses, from the common cold to AIDS.
Fungi. Fungi are responsible for many skin illnesses, including ringworm and athlete’s foot. Fungus from other species can infect your lungs or nervous system.
Parasites. Malaria is caused by a small parasite that is spread by mosquito bites. Other parasites can be passed on to humans by animal excrement.

Direct contact

Coming into touch with an infected person or animal is a simple method to get most infectious illnesses. Direct touch can transfer infectious illnesses such as:

From person to person. Infectious illnesses are usually transmitted from person to person by the direct transmission of bacteria, viruses, or other germs. This can happen when an infected person touches, kisses, coughs or sneezes on someone who isn’t affected. These bacteria can also spread via sexual contact and the exchange of bodily fluids. The individual who spreads the germ may not have any signs of the sickness and is just a carrier.
From animal to human. Being bitten or scratched by an infectious animal, even if it is a pet, can make you sick and, in severe cases, be fatal. Handling animal manure may also be dangerous. For example, scooping your cat’s litter box might result in a toxoplasmosis infection.
From mother to unborn child Pregnant women may spread germs that cause infectious disorders to their unborn children. Some microorganisms can cross the placenta or enter breast milk. During birth, germs in the vagina might potentially be passed to the infant.

Indirect contact

Disease-causing organisms can also be transmitted through indirect touch. Many bacteria may survive on inanimate objects like a tabletop, doorknob, or faucet handle. When you touch a doorknob that has been touched by someone who is sick with the flu or a cold, for example, you can take up the germs that person left behind. You may become infected if you then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose before washing your hands.

Insect bites – Some pathogens rely on insect carriers to spread from host to host, such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice, or ticks. Vectors are the names given to these carriers. Mosquitoes can transmit the malaria parasite or the West Nile virus. The bacteria that causes Lyme disease may be carried by deer ticks.
Contamination of food and water Disease-causing microorganisms can potentially infect you through contaminated food and water. Germs can be disseminated to a large number of persons through this technique of transmission. For example, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria found in or on some foods, such as raw hamburgers or unpasteurized fruit juice.

Risk factors

While infectious illnesses may affect anybody, you may be more prone to become ill if your immune system isn’t functioning properly. This might happen if:

You’re on steroids or other immune-suppressing treatments, such as anti-rejection meds for a transplanted organ.
You are infected with HIV or AIDS.
You have cancer or another condition that affects your immune system.

In addition, some medical conditions, such as implanted medical equipment, malnutrition, and extremes of age, may predispose you to infection.

Complications

Most infectious infections have very modest side effects. However, some illnesses, such as pneumonia, AIDS, and meningitis, can be fatal. A few forms of infections have been related to an increased risk of cancer over time:

Cervical cancer has been related to the human papillomavirus.
The bacteria Helicobacter pylori has been related to stomach cancer and peptic ulcers.
Hepatitis B and C have been related to the development of liver cancer.

Furthermore, certain infectious illnesses may go dormant, only to resurface in the future – sometimes decades later. Someone who has had chickenpox, for example, may acquire shingles much later in life.

Prevention

Practice the following tips to stay safe from communicable disease

Wash your hands frequently. This is especially necessary before and after preparing meals, eating, and using the restroom. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, as this is a typical method for germs to enter the body.
Obtain a vaccination. Vaccination can significantly lower your risk of developing a variety of diseases. Keep your prescribed immunizations, as well as your children’s, up to date.
When you’re sick, stay at home. If you are vomiting, have diarrhoea, or have a fever, do not go to work. If your kid exhibits any of these symptoms, do not send him or her to school.
Safely prepare food. When making meals, keep the countertops and other kitchen surfaces clean. Cook items at the right temperature, checking for doneness with a food thermometer. That implies at least 160 F (71 C) for ground meats, 165 F (74 C) for poultry, and 145 F (71 C) for most other meats (63 C). Also, refrigerate leftovers immediately – don’t leave prepared items out at room temperature for lengthy periods of time.
Sex should be done safely. If you or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted illnesses or high-risk behaviour, always use condoms.
Personal items should not be shared. You should use your own toothbrush, comb, and razor. Drinking glasses and eating utensils should not be shared.
Use caution when travelling. If you’re going out of the country, see your doctor about any particular immunizations you might need, such as yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis A or B, or typhoid fever.