Infectious Diseases: Causes, Classification, and Transmission Routes
What Are Infectious Diseases?
Illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms that invade, multiply, and damage host tissues. Also called communicable diseases (spread between individuals).
Causative Agents
- Bacteria (e.g., Strep, TB, E. coli)
- Viruses (e.g., influenza, HIV, SARS-CoV-2)
- Fungi (e.g., Candida, Aspergillus)
- Parasites (protozoa: malaria; helminths: worms; ectoparasites: lice)
- Prions (misfolded proteins: CJD)
Transmission Routes
- Respiratory droplets/airborne
- Fecal-oral (contaminated food/water)
- Vector-borne (mosquito, tick)
- Sexual contact
- Blood/body fluids
- Direct/indirect contact
Control Principles
- Surveillance, vaccination, sanitation, vector control, antimicrobial stewardship, isolation/quarantine.
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