1. health and fitness
2. disease

Key:
Athletes Foot
Polio
Tinea Pedis is an infection of the skin and feet
that is caused by a variety of fungi. It affects
the skin between the toes and makes skin red
and itchy. It is spread through contact or in
damp areas like showers, locker rooms, pools,
etc. It is treated by keeping feet clean and dry
and with an antifungal cream
Polio is a very contagious viral illness that
causes paralysis, difficult breathing and
sometimes death. The last case in the US
occurred in 1979. Despite a global effort to
eradicate the poliovirus, it still infects children
and adults in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and
most recently Syria. The virus is spread by
person to person contact through the nose or
mouth and contact with feces.
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Giardia
Amoebic Dysentery
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes
severe cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. It is
found in backcountry water that is
contaminated with feces from infected
humans or animals. Giardia is protected by an
outer shell that allows it to survive for long
periods. Medications are not always effective,
so prevention is best.
Amebiasis is an infection of the intestines
caused by a microscopic parasite Entamoeba
histolytica. Symptoms include stomach
cramps and loose stools. Travelers may get
this because it is common in tropical areas of
the world where sanitation is poor, where
food and water are exposed to fecal
contamination from infected persons.
Chicken Pox
Flu
Chicken Pox is a very contagious disease
marked by red blister like rashes on the skin,
caused by a varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It gets
worse with age. Rashes appear first on the
back and stomach, then spread over the
whole body. It spreads easily by coughing or
sneezing, or by touching someone with the
disease.
Seasonal influenza is caused by influenza
viruses. It can cause mild to severe body
aches, chills, nausea and vomiting and start
quickly, in 1-3 days. Most people get the flu
when they breathe in tiny droplets from
coughs or sneezes of someone that has the
flu, or you touch something with the virus on
it, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes. Flu
affects your nose, throat, and lungs.
Stomach Flu
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
This is not influenza, but is gastroenteritis, or
irritated stomach and intestines. It causes
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, along with
low fever. This sudden illness can be caused
by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical
toxins in seafood. Most cases go away on
their own and need no special treatment.
Avoid dehydration by drinking clear liquids.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory
disease caused by a bacteria called Bordetella
pertussis. It can trigger uncontrollable violent
coughing making it hard to breathe. It can last
1 to 6 weeks. It can be fatal in babies, less
than one year old. A person with pertussis
will infect everyone in their household if not
protected by a vaccination.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria
Borella burgdorferi. It is transmitted to
humans through the bite of infected black
legged ticks. Symptoms include fever,
headache, fatigue, and a skin rash. If
untreated, the disease can affect the
joints, heart & nervous system. Most
cases can be treated with medicine but
prevention is best by using bug repellent,
& removing ticks promptly.
West Nile
West Nile Virus is most commonly
acquired by mosquito bites. Mosquitos
get the virus from wild birds, the pass on
the virus to humans or animals. Only 1 in
5 develop fever with other symptoms. It
can be fatal to elderly or those who are
already ill. Wearing protective clothing,
using bug spray, and avoiding dawn and
dusk when bugs are out most is the best
prevention.
Virus
Bacteria
Fungi
Parasites
Multiple Disease Agents
Key:
Strep Throat
Pneumonia
Strep throat is a diseases that causes a sore
throat. It is an infection with a bacteria called
Group A Streptococcus. It is most common in
children aged 5-15, and is spread by person to
person contact with fluids from the nose or
saliva. Symptoms maybe mild to severe, with
a red sore throat with white patches, making
it hurt to swallow. Fever is often highest on
nd
the 2 day. Most sore throats are caused by
viruses, so a strep test should be positive for
bacteria before antibiotics are taken.
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air
sacs in your lungs. Air sacs may fill with fluid,
or pus, and coughs with phlegm, plus fever,
chills, etc. Bacteria, viruses, and even fungi
can cause pneumonia. This disease can be
mild to life-threatening. Careful laboratory
identification of the pathogen is necessary to
provide the correct treatment, as they differ
considerably. Viral pneumonia is caused by flu
viruses and is most common in kids under
ager 2. Walking pneumonia is a mild form
that may not require bed rest and is from a
bacteria-like organism, Mycoplasma
pneumonia.
Common Cold
Rabies
Colds are the most common illness there is.
Over 200 different viruses are responsible for
the illness, but Rhinovirus (Rhino refers to
nose) is most common type. Children get
colds from other children, and spread quickly
through tiny droplets of saliva from coughs,
sneezes, or runny noses. People are
contagious for the first 2 or 3 days of a cold,
but not after the first week. Drinking fluids
and getting rest are the best ways to feel
better.
Although rare in humans, rabies is a DEADLY
virus spread to people from the saliva of
infected animals, especially bats, coyotes,
foxes, raccoons and skunks. No cases of
rabies has ever been reported from human to
human. Symptoms only occur late in the
disease, usually days before death. Immediate
treatment is necessary. Symptoms include
fever, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, fear
of water (hydrophobia), & partial paralysis.
Cholera
Malaria
Cholera is rare in the USA, but still occurs in
many third world countries that lack clean
drinking water. Cholera is spread by drinking
contaminated water or food. It causes profuse
watery diarrhea, vomiting, circulatory collapse
and shock. ¼ to ½ of cases are fatal. It is
caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae.
Epidemics have occurred with natural
disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and
typhoons or huricanes where clean drinking
water systems or waste systems do not exist.
Malaria is a disease caused by a one celled
parasite, called plasmodium, then is
introduced into humans by the bite of an
infected mosquito. Malaria produces recurring
attacks of chills and fever. It kills 1 million
people worldwide each year. It is common in
tropical and subtropical countries.
Preventative measures, like mosquito bed
nets, bug sprays, and protective clothing are
best as the malaria parasites are immune to
all available drugs to treat the disease. Some
parasites can be dormant in you for months or
years before symptoms occur. Most deaths
occur in Africa in children under the age 5.
Ringworm
Hepatitis A
Ringworm isn’t a worm, but a fungal infection
of the scalp or skin and got its name from the
ring it produces. It is spread by contact from
another person, such as on wrestling mats, or
contact with soil, an animal pet, or a farm
animal. It is treated with an antifungal cream.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus that
affects the liver’s ability to function.
It is spread through contaminated food or
water from close contact with someone
already infected. Mild cases need no
treatment. Good hygiene, like washing hands
after using the bathroom protects against
Hepatitis A.
Virus
Bacteria
Fungi
Parasites
Multiple Disease Agents