Infectious Diseases 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 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Related Issues Bacterial vs. Viral Infections: How Do They Differ? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Infections in People with Cancer American Cancer Society MedlinePlus: Antibiotic Resistance National Library of Medicine Understand Quarantine and Isolation Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What’s the Difference Between Infectious and Contagious? Nemours Foundation Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Foundation for Infectious Diseases National Foundation for Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Children Childhood Contagious Diseases Logical Images Overview of Infectious Diseases American Academy of Pediatrics Repeated Infections in Children American Academy of Family Physicians Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers during Infectious Disease Outbreaks Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration What Is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist? American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Antibiotic Resistance National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Communicable Diseases National Institutes of Health Living With Coping with Stress during Infectious Disease Outbreaks Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Encyclopedia CSF cell count Latex agglutination test Statistics and Research Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases FastStats: Infectious Disease National Center for Health Statistics Modeling Infectious Diseases National Institute of General Medical Sciences Specifics Examples of Neglected Tropical Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Recurrent Infections May Signal Immunodeficiencies American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Start Here Germs: Learn How Germs Work and What You Can Do to Protect Yourself Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Infectious Diseases Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Understanding Microbes in Sickness and in Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Prevention and Risk Factors MedlinePlus: Germs and Hygiene National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Infectious Diseases
