Microorganisms and Infectious Diseases

Microorganisms

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

• Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Attacks the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and diseases
• Transmitted through:
  • Unprotected sex
  • Contaminated needles
  • Mother-to-child transmission
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Swollen glands
  • Skin rashes
• Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Hepatitis

• Inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection
• Types:
  • Hepatitis A (HAV): Spread through contaminated food and water
  • Hepatitis B (HBV): Transmitted through bodily fluids
  • Hepatitis C (HCV): Transmitted through blood and bodily fluids
• Symptoms:
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
• Treatment: Vaccination, antiviral medications, and liver transplantation in severe cases

Rabies

• Caused by the lyssavirus
• Transmitted through animal bites, usually from infected dogs, bats, and wild animals
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Agitation
  • Confusion
  • Aggression
  • Paralysis
• Treatment: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with vaccination and immunoglobulin administration

Polio (Poliomyelitis)

• Caused by the poliovirus
• Transmitted through:
  • Fecal-oral route
  • Contaminated food and water
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Stiffness in the neck and back
  • Muscle weakness
• Treatment: Vaccination, pain management, and physical therapy

TB (Tuberculosis)

• Caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium
• Transmitted through:
  • Airborne droplets
  • Contaminated milk
• Symptoms:
  • Coughing
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fatigue
• Treatment: Antibiotic therapy, usually a combination of rifampicin and isoniazid

Typhoi (Typhoid Fever)

• Caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium
• Transmitted through:
  • Contaminated food and water
  • Fecal-oral route
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation
• Treatment: Antibiotic therapy, usually with ciprofloxacin or azithromycin

Microorganisms

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

• Caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system
• Transmission routes:
  • Unprotected sex
  • Contaminated needles
  • Mother-to-child transmission
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Swollen glands
  • Skin rashes
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the treatment

Hepatitis

• Inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection
• Types:
  • Hepatitis A (HAV): Contaminated food and water
  • Hepatitis B (HBV): Bodily fluids
  • Hepatitis C (HCV): Blood and bodily fluids
• Symptoms:
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
• Treatment:
  • Vaccination
  • Antiviral medications
  • Liver transplantation (in severe cases)

Rabies

• Caused by the lyssavirus
• Transmission: Animal bites (usually infected dogs, bats, and wild animals)
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Agitation
  • Confusion
  • Aggression
  • Paralysis
• Treatment: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with vaccination and immunoglobulin administration

Polio (Poliomyelitis)

• Caused by the poliovirus
• Transmission:
  • Fecal-oral route
  • Contaminated food and water
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Stiffness in the neck and back
  • Muscle weakness
• Treatment:
  • Vaccination
  • Pain management
  • Physical therapy

TB (Tuberculosis)

• Caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium
• Transmission:
  • Airborne droplets
  • Contaminated milk
• Symptoms:
  • Coughing
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fatigue
• Treatment: Antibiotic therapy (usually rifampicin and isoniazid combination)

Typhoid Fever

• Caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium
• Transmission:
  • Contaminated food and water
  • Fecal-oral route
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation
• Treatment: Antibiotic therapy (usually ciprofloxacin or azithromycin)

Learn about Microorganisms and Infectious Diseases, including AIDS and Hepatitis, their causes, symptoms, transmission, and treatment.