Some diseases occur naturally in the body, such as arthritis and cancer. Others occur as the result of an infection caused by some outside organism such as a virus or bacterium. Due to medical advances, many infectious diseases that once were lethal are no long so. Doctors usually treat nonlethal infectious disease with antibiotics or antiviral medications.
Influenza
Strains of viruses cause the infectious disease known as influenza, or more commonly, the flu. In most cases, the flu runs its normal course in a few days, then ends. It may induce such common symptoms as a runny nose, a sore throat, a fever and chills, and other irritants. Complications from some strains of flu can result in death, but the normal strains of flu do not cause serious problems for healthy people, MayoClinic.com indicates. Antiviral drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat the flu, and flu shots are readily available to stop its spread.
Herpes
The sexually transmitted disease, genital herpes occurs through infection with the herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2. The National Institutes of Health report this disease typically affects the anus, buttocks and genitals. Oral herpes, more commonly called "cold sores," are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and affect the facial area, particularly the mouth. Herpes cannot be cured, but over time, most people have fewer and less severe outbreaks of the disease. Doctors may treat the symptoms with medications.
Measles
Measles, although now largely preventable with a vaccine, has made a comeback in the United States, MayoClinic.com states. The World Health Organization also reports major resurgences of the disease particularly in Asia and Africa. While measles can kill small children, doctors can fight it with a vaccination injected up to 72 hours after a person is exposed to the virus that causes measles. Measles still may manifest as the telltale rash, but symptoms may feel milder, and the course of the disease typically shortens. MayoClinic.com also reports an injection of immune serum globulin can help prevent or fight the disease's symptoms in people who have immune systems weakened by something else.
Strep Throat
Caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat can affect a person--usually a child--in some of the same ways as the flu or a cold. Symptoms include throat soreness, tonsil swelling, pain in the stomach and a fever. Physicians fight the infection with antibiotics.
Conjunctivitis
Known more commonly as pinkeye, conjunctivitis can occur due to an infection by a virus or bacterium. The disease can produce a discharge from the eye, as well as making it feel itchy and burning, the National Institutes of Health reports. Swelling also may occur. The condition typically clears itself, but may need antibiotic treatment if caused by a bacterium.
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