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Summary
Infectious diseases kill more people worldwide than any other single cause. Infectious diseases are caused by germs. Germs are tiny living things that are found everywhere - in air, soil and water. You can get infected by touching, eating, drinking or breathing something that contains a germ. Germs can also spread through animal and insect bites, kissing and sexual contact. Vaccines, proper hand washing and medicines can help prevent infections.
There are four main kinds of germs:
- Bacteria - one-celled germs that multiply quickly and may release chemicals which can make you sick
- Viruses - capsules that contain genetic material, and use your own cells to multiply
- Fungi - primitive plants, like mushrooms or mildew
- Protozoa - one-celled animals that use other living things for food and a place to live
NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Latest News
- Heart Attack Risk Spikes After Respiratory Infection, Study Finds (05/16/2017, HealthDay)
Prevention and Risk Factors
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Germs and Hygiene: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
Living With
- Coping with Stress during Infectious Disease Outbreaks (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
Related Issues
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Antibiotic Resistance: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
- Bacterial vs. Viral Infections: How Do They Differ? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Infections in People with Cancer (American Cancer Society)
- Understand Quarantine and Isolation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- What's the Difference Between Infectious and Contagious? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Recurrent Infections May Signal Immunodeficiencies (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Also in Spanish
-
Types of Neglected Tropical Diseases
(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
Statistics and Research
- FastStats: Infectious Disease (National Center for Health Statistics)
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Modeling Infectious Diseases
(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Antibiotic Resistance
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Communicable Diseases
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Children
- Childhood Contagious Diseases (Logical Images)
- Overview of Infectious Diseases (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Repeated Infections in Children (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers during Infectious Disease Outbreaks (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
- What Is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist? (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish