Common Infectious Diseases: Signs & Prevention Methods

Every year, millions of people worldwide are affected by infectious diseases. Understanding these diseases is crucial. This article from My Auris provides information on common infectious diseases, helping you protect your health and that of your family. Let’s learn together to proactively prevent and effectively respond. The information is presented in an easy-to-understand, actionable manner, suitable for all readers.

Common Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases, caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, remain a major threat to global health and public health in Vietnam. The mortality rate in specific age groups caused by these diseases remains high, especially in developing countries. The emergence of new drug-resistant strains, along with the high person-to-person transmissibility of some diseases, poses significant challenges to healthcare systems.

Some common infectious diseases include:

Respiratory Transmitted Diseases

Influenza (Flu): A viral disease caused by influenza viruses, spreading rapidly through direct or indirect contact. Symptoms include headache, body aches, cough, sore throat, high fever, chills, and sometimes diarrhea. Severe complications can occur in children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying medical conditions. Flu vaccines (such as Influvac Tetra, GC Flu Quadrivalent, Vaxigrip Tetra, Ivacflu-S) are recommended annually for prevention.

Pneumonia: An inflammatory condition in the lung parenchyma, often caused by bacteria (especially pneumococcus). Symptoms vary and can lead to complications such as lung abscess, pericarditis, and respiratory failure. Pneumococcal vaccines (Prevenar 13, Synflorix, Pneumovax 23) help prevent pneumonia and other infections caused by pneumococcus.

Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is dangerous in infants, potentially causing severe complications such as deafness, blindness, paralysis, and epilepsy. The BCG vaccine is recommended for early vaccination in newborns to prevent severe forms of TB.

COVID-19: An acute respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Common symptoms are dry cough, high fever, fatigue, and loss of taste/smell. Many types of COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in Vietnam, including AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Vero Cell, Janssen, Moderna, Covaxin, Hayat-Vax, Abdala, and Pfizer.

Measles: A highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, dry cough, runny nose, nosebleeds, and sore throat. Complications can include otitis media, severe pneumonia, and encephalitis. Measles vaccines (MVVAC, MMR II, Priorix) are effective in prevention.

Mumps: A generally benign viral disease but can cause complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, orchitis/oophoritis. MMR II and Priorix vaccines help prevent mumps, measles, and rubella.

Rubella (German Measles): A viral disease causing mild fever and rash. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, potentially leading to miscarriage or birth defects. MMR II and Priorix vaccines help prevent it.

Chickenpox: A viral disease causing fever, headache, and a blister-like rash. Usually benign but sometimes causes complications. Varivax, Varicella, Varilrix vaccines help prevent it.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis): A bacterial disease causing uncontrollable, severe coughing fits. Hexaxim, Adacel, Boostrix, Tetraxim, Pentaxim vaccines help prevent it.

Japanese Encephalitis: A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing high mortality and sequelae. Jevax, Imojev, JEEV vaccines offer high protective efficacy.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Often caused by adenovirus, leading to red eyes, watery eyes, and a gritty sensation. Severe conjunctivitis can affect vision.

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever): A fungal infection transmitted through the respiratory tract, which can cause pneumonia and other complications.

Histoplasmosis: A fungal infection transmitted through the respiratory tract, often asymptomatic or mild.

Cryptococcosis: A fungal infection, often affecting the lungs or central nervous system.

Gastrointestinal Transmitted Diseases

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD): A viral disease causing skin lesions and oral ulcers. Complications can include encephalitis, myocarditis, and pneumonia. Currently, there is no vaccine.

Cholera: A bacterial disease causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. The mORCVAX vaccine can be used for prevention.

Typhoid Fever: A bacterial disease causing persistent high fever, chills, and muscle aches. Typhim Vi and Typhoid Vi vaccines are used for prevention.

Dysentery: A bacterial disease causing fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Most cases are benign.

Hepatitis A: A viral disease transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Avaxim, Havax, Twinrix vaccines help prevent it.

Rotavirus: A viral disease causing acute diarrhea, especially in young children. Rotarix, Rotateq, Rotavin vaccines help prevent it.

Hepatitis E: A viral disease that can cause hepatitis and jaundice. Usually self-resolving but can sometimes lead to severe complications.

Ascariasis: A parasitic disease causing intestinal infection. Can lead to intestinal obstruction and liver damage.

Liver Fluke: A parasitic disease causing liver infection. Can lead to serious complications.

Tapeworm: A parasitic disease causing intestinal infection. Can cause abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.

Blood-borne/Sexually/Mother-to-child Transmitted Diseases

Rabies: A viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Always fatal if not treated promptly. Rabies vaccines are effective for prevention.

HIV/AIDS: A viral disease causing immune deficiency. Currently, there is no cure or preventive vaccine.

Hepatitis B: A viral disease transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child. Heberbiovac HB, Gene Hbvax, Twinrix vaccines help prevent it.

Hepatitis C: A viral disease causing chronic hepatitis. Currently, there is no vaccine.

Gonorrhea: A bacterial disease transmitted sexually. Causes painful or frequent urination, and blood in urine.

Syphilis: A bacterial disease transmitted sexually. Can cause serious complications for the fetus.

Chlamydia: A bacterial disease transmitted sexually. Symptoms are often mild or absent.

Genital Warts: Often caused by HPV. Gardasil and Gardasil 9 vaccines help prevent them.

Zika: A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Dangerous for pregnant women.

Tetanus: A bacterial disease causing muscle spasms. Tetanus vaccines are effective for prevention.

Mosquito-borne/Animal-borne/Environmentally Transmitted Diseases

Dengue Fever: A viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Causes high fever, headache, and muscle aches.

Malaria: A parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Causes fever and chills.

Yellow Fever: A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Causes fever, yellow skin, and yellow eyes.

Viral Skin Infections: Caused by the Herpes simplex virus, resulting in skin blisters.

Fungal Skin Infections: Caused by various types of fungi.

Anthrax: A bacterial disease that can cause skin, respiratory, or gastrointestinal damage.

Meningococcal Meningitis: A dangerous bacterial disease that can cause rapid death. VA-Mengoc-BC, Menactra, Bexsero vaccines help prevent it.

Leprosy: A chronic bacterial disease causing skin and nerve damage.

Plague: A dangerous bacterial disease that spreads rapidly.

Ebola: A dangerous viral disease with a high mortality rate.

Marburg: A dangerous viral disease causing high fever and hemorrhage.

Hantavirus: A viral disease transmitted from rodents. Causes hemorrhagic fever or pulmonary syndrome.

Additionally, there are many other infectious diseases such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, meningitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, etc. Each disease has different causes, transmission mechanisms, symptoms, and treatment methods. A clear understanding of the causes, prevention, and treatment methods is extremely important.

Typical Symptoms of Common Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases, caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, can manifest a variety of symptoms depending on the type of disease and an individual’s immune resistance. However, some common symptoms can help you recognize the risk of illness early:

Fever: This is the most common symptom of many infectious diseases, reflecting the immune system’s response to invading pathogens. A mild fever might be a common cold, but a high, prolonged fever requires immediate medical attention. Body temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius should be noted.

Cough, Sore Throat: Upper respiratory symptoms like cough and sore throat are common in diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, or pneumonia. Persistent coughing, especially with phlegm or blood, requires prompt treatment to avoid dangerous complications.

Runny Nose, Stuffy Nose: These symptoms are often associated with the common cold, influenza, or allergies. However, if accompanied by high fever and fatigue, the possibility of infection should be considered.

Headache, Fatigue: These are non-specific symptoms that can appear in many different conditions, including non-infectious diseases. However, if accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, cough, and muscle aches, vigilance is needed.

Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea: These gastrointestinal symptoms are often seen in intestinal infections caused by bacteria or viruses. Severe dehydration from prolonged diarrhea can be life-threatening.

Skin Rash: Some infectious diseases like measles, rubella, or dengue fever can cause skin rashes. Rashes can be red spots, hives, or other skin lesions.

Swollen Lymph Nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes are often a sign that the immune system is responding to an infection. Painful, unusually large lymph nodes require specialist examination.

Shortness of Breath: Shortness of breath is a serious symptom, potentially indicating severe respiratory infection or respiratory failure. Immediate medical emergency care is needed.

Common Transmission Routes of Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases spread through various routes, depending on the type of pathogen (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, etc.) and their transmissibility. Some of the most common routes include:

Through the Respiratory Tract: This is a very common transmission route for many common infectious diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, and measles. Pathogens are dispersed into the air through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The potential for transmission depends on the density of microorganisms in the droplets, their airborne survival time, and the immunity of the exposed individual. To prevent infection, measures such as wearing masks, maintaining safe distances, frequent hand hygiene, and ventilating living spaces are necessary.

Through the Gastrointestinal Tract: Many infectious diseases spread via the gastrointestinal tract, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. Pathogens enter the body orally, often through contaminated food or water. Food and water hygiene are crucial for preventing these types of diseases. Thorough hand washing before eating and after using the restroom is also an effective preventive measure.

Through Direct Contact: Some infectious diseases spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal, such as HIV/AIDS, rabies, and measles (during the initial stage of the disease). Pathogens can enter the body through open wounds, mucous membranes, or abrasions. Using condoms, avoiding contact with blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals, and cleaning wounds are necessary preventive measures.

Through Blood: Many serious infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, C, are transmitted through blood. Contact with infected blood, such as through sharing needles or unsafe blood transfusions, is a major cause of these diseases. Using sterile needles and thorough blood screening before transfusion are important measures to prevent the spread of these diseases.

Through Vectors: Some infectious diseases are transmitted through vectors, which are intermediate organisms like mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks, etc. For example, malaria is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, and dengue fever is also transmitted by mosquitoes. To prevent these, measures such as mosquito control, using mosquito repellents, and protecting oneself from mosquito bites are essential.

Through Sexual Contact: Some infectious diseases are transmitted through sexual intercourse, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Using condoms and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important preventive measures.

Effective Prevention Measures for Common Infectious Diseases

Personal and community hygiene are key to preventing infectious diseases. The following steps will help you create a safe living environment and limit the spread of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites):

Frequent Hand Washing: This is a simple but extremely effective measure. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before and after eating, and after contact with sick individuals or pets. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when clean water is not available.

Cover Mouth and Nose When Coughing or Sneezing: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. This prevents the spread of pathogen-containing droplets into the air.

Sanitize Living Environment: Keep your home clean and well-ventilated, regularly cleaning and wiping down contact surfaces. Properly manage waste to prevent the proliferation of disease-carrying insects.

Hygienic Eating and Drinking: Always wash food thoroughly before preparation, and store food properly to avoid bacterial contamination. Drink clean water, avoiding water from unknown sources.

Vaccination: Vaccines are one of the most effective preventive measures against many infectious diseases, including influenza, tuberculosis, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Consult a doctor to develop an appropriate vaccination plan. Vaccines and immunizations are an important part of global disease control strategies.

Avoid Contact with Sick Individuals: If someone in your family or community has an infectious disease, limit close contact to avoid transmission. Implement isolation measures as advised by health authorities.

Use Separate Personal Items: Do not share towels, toothbrushes, or other personal items with others to avoid transmitting infectious diseases through contact. Sterilization principles must be strictly adhered to in medical environments.

Serious Impacts of Common Infectious Diseases on Health

Infectious diseases, caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, are diverse in their causative agents and can affect multiple organ systems in the body. Depending on the type of disease, its severity, and the patient’s overall health, the impacts can vary greatly. These range from mild symptoms like fever, cough, and headache to life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure, kidney failure, and sepsis. Some diseases like influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and dengue fever can be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly.

Infectious diseases not only directly impact individual health but also profoundly affect socio-economics. Treatment costs, medical care, lost income due to absence from work, and reduced labor productivity are significant burdens on families and nations. A high mortality rate in a specific age group due to infectious diseases affects economic, social, and demographic development. Large epidemics can cause economic and social crises and disrupt business, tourism, and educational activities.

Treating Common Infectious Diseases

Treatment for infectious diseases depends on many factors: the type of pathogen, the severity of the illness, the patient’s overall health, and access to healthcare services. There is no single treatment method for all diseases.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. However, antibiotic use must be prescribed by a doctor, based on test results to identify the causative bacteria and its susceptibility to antibiotics. Improper use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, reducing treatment effectiveness and increasing the risk of complications. Self-medicating with antibiotics is very dangerous and should be strictly avoided.

Antivirals: Antiviral drugs are used to treat viral infections, such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, or viral hepatitis. Like antibiotics, antiviral drugs should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Some viruses, such as those causing the common cold, may resolve on their own without treatment. However, for more serious viral diseases, antiviral drugs play a crucial role in controlling the disease and preventing complications.

Antiparasitics: Parasitic infections like malaria require treatment with specific antiparasitic drugs. The type and dosage of medication will be determined by the doctor based on the parasitic species causing the disease and the patient’s health status. Self-treating parasitic infections can be dangerous and ineffective.

Supportive Care: In addition to specific medications, supportive care is also very important. This includes adequate rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating a healthy diet to support the immune system and the recovery process. For serious illnesses, hospitalization may be necessary for close monitoring and intensive treatment. Patients must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions to achieve the best treatment outcomes. Importantly, it is necessary to boost health through proper nutrition and adequate rest. A well-balanced diet will support your immune system in fighting off pathogens.

Vaccines: Vaccination is an important preventive measure against infectious diseases. Full vaccination helps the body develop immunity, protecting against dangerous diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis B, dengue fever, and many others. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of medicine, saving millions of lives each year. National immunization programs are designed to protect public health and minimize the impact of infectious diseases.