Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease that can lead to paralysis, stroke, and even death. Read more on how to treat and prevent it. Airborne diseases spread easily and are difficult to prevent. Learn more about the types of airborne diseases and how to protect yourself. The 5-second rule gives you permission to eat something that fell on the floor, as long as it's picked up within five seconds. But is it safe? Boils are caused by bacteria building up in a hair follicle and pushing up to the surface of the skin.
Recurring boils happen for a number of reasons…. Certain E. Learn about other bacteria and parasites like pinworms and how to prevent…. Shigellosis is a bacterial infection that affects the digestive system. The Shigella bacterium is spread through contact with contaminated feces. As a boil on the skin matures, it typically develops a visible core of pus. Learn when to see a doctor, how to get the core out of a boil at home, and…. Q fever, also called query fever, is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria commonly found in cattle, sheep, and goats.
Humans typically get Q fever…. A doctor typically orders a sputum stain to determine if a person has tuberculosis TB or another type of mycobacterial infection. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. Types Diseases Prevention Summary What are pathogens?
Pathogen types. Diseases caused by pathogens. Protecting against pathogens. Some germs rely on insect carriers — such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice or ticks — to move from host to host. These carriers are known as vectors. Mosquitoes can carry the malaria parasite or West Nile virus. Deer ticks may carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
Disease-causing germs can also infect you through contaminated food and water. This mechanism of transmission allows germs to be spread to many people through a single source. Escherichia coli E. While anyone can catch infectious diseases, you may be more likely to get sick if your immune system isn't working properly. This may occur if:. In addition, certain other medical conditions may predispose you to infection, including implanted medical devices, malnutrition and extremes of age, among others.
Most infectious diseases have only minor complications. But some infections — such as pneumonia, AIDS and meningitis — can become life-threatening. A few types of infections have been linked to a long-term increased risk of cancer:. In addition, some infectious diseases may become silent, only to appear again in the future — sometimes even decades later. For example, someone who's had chickenpox may develop shingles much later in life.
Prepare food safely. Keep counters and other kitchen surfaces clean when preparing meals. Cook foods to the proper temperature, using a food thermometer to check for doneness. For ground meats, that means at least F 71 C ; for poultry, F 74 C ; and for most other meats, at least F 63 C.
Also promptly refrigerate leftovers — don't let cooked foods remain at room temperature for long periods of time. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.
Overview Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. What are superbugs and how can I protect myself from infection? Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Infection occurs when viruses , bacteria , or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply. Disease occurs when the cells in your body are damaged as a result of infection and signs and symptoms of an illness appear.
The incidence of disease among those infected varies greatly depending on the particular pathogen and individual susceptibility. Many of the symptoms that make a person suffer during an infection—fever, malaise, headache, rash—result from the activities of the immune system trying to eliminate the infection from the body.
In response to infection, your immune system springs into action. White blood cells , antibodies , and other mechanisms go to work to rid your body of the foreign invader. Indeed, many of the symptoms that make a person suffer during an infection—fever, malaise, headache, rash—result from the activities of the immune system trying to eliminate the infection from the body.
Pathogenic microbes challenge the immune system in many ways. Viruses make us sick by killing cells or disrupting cell function. Many bacteria make us sick in the same way that viruses do, but they also have other strategies at their disposal.
0コメント