Did you know that there are at least 30 microorganisms that can cause pneumonia? While pneumonia is commonly viral, it can also be caused by bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasma germs, which are neither bacteria nor virus.
Still considered the deadliest virus, HIV has claimed the lives of about 32 million people since it was discovered in the 1980s. About 1 in 25 people living in the African region has HIV, accounting for two-thirds of the population suffering from the disease worldwide.
Before the World Health Assembly declared the world free of smallpox in 1980, plagued the world for thousands of years. About 1 of 3 people infected died of the disease, with most survivors suffering permanent blindness.
In 2017, the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) was launched to detect, prevent, and respond to yellow fever outbreaks in high-risk countries. It is estimated that by 2026, more than one billion people will be protected from the disease.
Did you know that more than 200 different viruses are behind the common colds? The most common, however, is the Rhinovirus, which accounts for 10-40% of all cold cases.
Did you know that there is fecal matter on 10% of credit cards and 16% of cellphones? Proper handwashing is crucial to reducing the risk of acquiring and spreading infection through these commonly held items.
Highly contagious, Clostridium difficile is a rod-shaped bacterium naturally found in human digestive tracts. It could result in infection when there’s a disruption in your stomach’s microbiome, such as in the case of antibiotic use and weakened immune system.
According to statistics, about 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with a hospital-acquired infection every year, resulting in 100,000 deaths. Moreover, more than one million develop sepsis, a deadly condition that results from severe immune response to infection.
Did you know that breastfeeding can help prevent pneumonia? According to research, substances in breast milk can strengthen a baby’s immune system and keep pneumonia germs from growing in the throat, lungs, and nose.
Commonly known as the Spanish flu, the 1918 flu pandemic was the deadliest, killing 50 million people or about one-third of the world’s population at the time. At present, about 200,000 Americans are hospitalized during the flu season every year.
The world’s toughest bacterium according to the Guinness Book of World Records is the Deinococcus radiodurans. Able to withstand radiation a thousand times more than humans can stand, scientists believe the bacterium is key to nuclear waste cleanup.
First appearing in the Philippines and Thailand in the 1950s, Dengue virus infects 50 to 100 million people every year, according to WHO. If left untreated, dengue can have a 20% mortality rate.
Caused by the bite of an infected tick, Lyme disease is characterized by muscle and joint pains and red, circular, “bull’s eye” rashes. The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid walking in the woods with exposed skin.
Despite the availability of vaccines, pneumonia and influenza are among the top ten causes of death in the US. According to the CDC, most people older than six months should receive immunization.
Endemic in the tropical areas of Central America, South America and Africa, Yellow Fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by mosquito bites. The yellow in the name came from jaundice, one of the symptoms of the disease.
Germs and bacteria can remain on everyday objects like doorknobs, computer keyboards, and tabletops. When you come in contact with an object that has been touched by someone with an infectious disease, you may also become infected.
Community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is a bacterium that is resistant to antibiotics. Specifically Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, it has become increasingly prevalent among team athletes who share equipment, locker rooms, and shower facilities.
An infectious disease expert can provide patients the necessary information about tests and procedures that can help in diagnosing and analyzing the infection and prevent it from recurring or further harming the body.
Be careful with those canned goods that are stored in your pantry. If you notice the tops or bottoms – or the sides – bulging, toss them out. It is an indicator of botulism. In addition, home canning, if done improperly, also allows the clostridium botulinum bacterium to grow.
Did you know that you can have mono and not be aware of it? Some people exhibit subclinical symptoms that aren’t severe enough to notice. Studies show that 90% of adults have mononucleosis antibodies but only 10% have been diagnosed.
Tuberculosis is one of the top causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 million people died from TB in 2018, among which around 205,000 were children.
How to prevent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)? Well, it can simply be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids. Also, empty your bladder completely before going to sleep and avoid delaying going to the bathroom for extended amounts of time.
Tuberculosis is a serious, local infection of the respiratory tract. It is a worldwide problem. Other common sites of infection include the lungs, the digestive tract, the reproductive and urinary tracts, and the eyes or ears.
Even if your infection improves and you start feeling better, you should not stop taking your medications on your own. If your doctor has prescribed you an antibiotic treatment to treat a bacterial infection, then you must complete the course.
Do you know that infectious diseases are the third leading cause of death in the United States? It causes 170,000 deaths every year, a figure that has almost doubled since the early 1980s.
An infection of the endocardium (inner lining of the heart) that is caused by bacteria is known as endocarditis. If not treated promptly (most often with a regimen of antibiotics) there is a risk of damage to the heart’s valves and life-threatening conditions could develop.
Your infectious disease specialist can help diagnose the infection and prescribe treatment options when necessary. Your specialist is also the one who will coordinate with your physician concerning the treatment that best suits your condition.
