Fungi Thrush Symptoms Disease Asymptomatic Chlamydia, MRSA Fever Flu, Measles, Chickenpox, Bacterial meningitis Rash Bacterial meningitis, Chickenpox, Measles, Sore throat Flu, Glandular fever Tiredness Glandular fever, Lesions HIV Whitish discharge Chlamydia, Thrush Transmission Disease Sexual contact Chlamydia, HIV, Thrush Blood Bacterial meningitis, HIV Touch Flu, Measles, Chickenpox, MRSA Inhalation Flu, Measles, Chickenpox, Bacterial meningitis Mouth to mouth Flu, Glandular fever Prevention Disease Wash hands Flu, Measles, Chickenpox, MRSA, Bacterial meningitis Cover coughs and sneezes Flu, Measles, Chickenpox, Bacterial meningitis Use a condom Chlamydia, HIV, Thrush Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use MRSA*, Thrush Vaccination Chickenpox, Measles, Flu Treatment Disease Antibiotics Chlamydia, Bacterial meningitis, MRSA* Bed Rest Chickenpox, Glandular fever, Measles, Flu Antifungals Thrush Fluid Intake Chickenpox, Glandular fever, Measles, Flu Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infectious agent Bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus Symptoms Asymptomatic in healthy individuals. Can cause skin infections, infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract in previously ill patients. Diagnosis Swab and antibiotic sensitivity test`. Mortality Rate High – if not given the correct antibiotics.
Transmission Contagious. Direct skin contact. Prevention Regular hand washing. Treatment Resistant to many antibiotics. While some antibiotics still work, MRSA is constantly adapting. History First reported 1961, increasing problem globally. Measles Infectious agent Virus: Paramyxovirus Symptoms Fever, runny nose, red and runny eyes, a cough, a red rash and a sore, swollen throat. Diagnosis Blood sample and antibody test. Mortality Rate Low but high in Third World countries. Transmission Contagious. Droplets from coughs and sneezes, skin contact or contact with objects that have the live virus on them. Prevention Prevention via vaccination. Treatment Bed rest and fluid intake. History Virus first reported 1911, has decreased dramatically in developed countries in recent years although small epidemics do occur. Still a pandemic problem for third world countries. Flu Infectious agent Virus: Influenza Symptoms Headache, fever, chills, muscle aches; possibly sore throat, cough, chest pain. Diagnosis Blood sample and antibody test. Mortality Rate Medium but higher in the very young and elderly. Transmission Highly contagious. Inhalation of viruses on airborne particles. Direct skin contact. Prevention Vaccination against current strains. Treatment Bed rest and fluid intake. Antivirals in the elderly. History Present for centuries, epidemics occur at regular intervals. Thrush Infectious microbe Fungi: Candida albicans Symptoms Itching, burning, soreness and white coating of the mouth or irritation of the vagina with a whitish discharge. Diagnosis Swab, microscopic examination and culturing. Mortality Rate None.
Transmission Person to person contact but is a normal part of the flora of the gut. Prevention Symptoms are caused by overgrowth of this fungus due to antibiotics killing off the normal protective bacteria. Therefore avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. Treatment Antifungals. History Almost 75% of all women have had this infection at least once. Chlamydia Infectious Microbe Bacteria: Chlamydia trachomatis Symptoms In many cases there are no symptoms but sometimes there is a discharge from the vagina or penis. Swollen testicles and inability to have children can also occur. Diagnosis Swab or urine sample for molecular testing. Mortality Rate Rare. Transmission Contagious through sexual contact. Prevention Use a condom during sexual intercourse. Treatment Antibiotics. History First discovered in 1907. Global problem which is on the increase. Bacterial Meningitis Infectious Microbe Bacteria: Neisseria meningitidis Symptoms Headache, neck stiffness, high fever, irritability, delirium, rash. Diagnosis Spinal fluid sample and molecular testing. Mortality Rate Medium – higher risk in the young and elderly. Transmission Contagious, through saliva and inhalation of droplets. Prevention Vaccination against many strains, avoid contact with infected patients. Treatment Penicillin, oxygen and fluids. History First identified as a bacteria in 1887. Regular epidemics in under developed countries HIV/AIDS Infectious agent Virus: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Symptoms Failing immune system, pneumonia, lesions. Diagnosis Blood sample and antibody test. Mortality Rate Medium – high in countries with no anti-AIDS drugs.
Transmission Highly contagious. Sexual contact, blood to blood contact, sharing of needles, mother to new born transmission. Prevention Always wear a condom during sexual intercourse. Treatment There is no cure although anti-HIV drugs can prolong life expectancy. History First identified in 1983. Currently a global epidemic. Glandular fever (Kissing Disease) Infectious agent Virus: Epstein Barr Symptoms Sore throats, swollen lymph glands, extreme tiredness. Diagnosis Blood sample and antibody test. Mortality Rate Low. Transmission Not very contagious. Direct contact such as kissing and sharing drinks. Prevention Avoid direct contact with infected patients. Treatment Bed rest and fluid intake, paracetamol can be used to relieve the pain. History First described in 1889, 95% population have had the infection, however, only 35% develop symptoms. Occasional isolated outbreaks. Chickenpox Infectious agent Virus: Varicella-zoster Symptoms Blistering rash on the body and head. Diagnosis Blood sample and antibody test. Mortality Rate Low Transmission Highly contagious. Direct skin contact or inhalation of droplets from sneezing and coughing. Prevention Prevention by vaccine. Treatment Bed rest and fluid intake, antivirals in some adult cases. History First identified in 1865. Decreased in countries where vaccination programmes have been implemented. No change elsewhere. Infectious Microbe Disease
Bacteria Virus Fungi Symptoms Disease Asymptomatic Fever Rash Sore throat Tiredness Lesions Whitish discharge Transmission Disease Sexual contact Blood Touch Inhalation Mouth to mouth Prevention Disease Wash hands Cover coughs and sneezes Use a condom Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use Vaccination Treatment Disease Antibiotics Bed Rest Antifungals Fluid Intake