An infectious disease, also called a communicable disease, comes from one of four pathogens--bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral--and grows within or on the body. Methods of transmission from one person to another include direct contact (hand-to-hand to mouth), exchanging bodily fluids (kissing or drinking from the same glass) and inhalation of expelled pathogens (coughing or sneezing).
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, a bacterial infectious disease, infects both men and women. Sexual contact remains the primary method of transmission. Areas of the body typically infected include the female cervix and urethra. Other areas include the pharynx, if oral sex occurs with an infected person, and infection of the rectum during anal sex. Cervical infection spreads to the fallopian tubes in 10 to 20 percent of women with gonorrhea. Merck Manual, an online medical dictionary, reports that men experience penile tenderness and pain, unilateral scrotal pain and purulent discharge when infected with gonorrhea.
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough (pertussis), a highly infectious airborne bacterial disease, spreads easily among children. Kidshealth.org, affiliated with the Nemours Foundation, reports the annual number of deaths from whooping cough at less than 30 per year. Initial symptoms are typical of a common cold. Whooping cough symptoms begin one to two weeks after initial symptoms of a runny nose, mild cough, sneezing and low-grade fever. The coughing spell ends with a whooping sound as the child inhales.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection, includes types A, B and C. Contracting hepatitis A (HAV) occurs by consuming food or water contaminated by a person infected with HAV. The methods of transferring HAV include failure to wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Hepatitis B (HBV) contamination requires contact with infected blood or body fluid such as semen. The spread of hepatitis C (HCV) is by blood contact, sexual contact and during childbirth from mother to newborn.
Viral Pneumonia
Viruses such as the flu, chickenpox and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can lead to viral pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that causes fluid to collect and the lungs to swell. Look for shortness of breath, coughing, fever and chest pain as symptoms of viral pneumonia. Expect treatment to include antiviral medications to shorten the number of sick days, cough medicine to assist in clearing the lungs, steroids to open air passages and possibly antibiotics to treat or prohibit any secondary infections. The pneumonia virus is airborne and is contagious by inhalation or touching any surface with direct contact of the virus.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin and feet. Symptoms appear as red, itchy scales between the toes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that damp areas such as locker rooms and swimming pools provide the perfect breeding ground for the fungus. Topical anti-fungal creams and oral medications usually provide relief.
