Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide, caused by a parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis. While treatable and often curable, it can have significant health implications if left undiagnosed...
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Often referred to as “the clap,” gonorrhea primarily affects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract but can also infect...
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most frequently reported bacterial STIs worldwide, particularly among sexually active individuals. Chlamydia primarily affects the...
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Often referred to as “the great imitator” because its symptoms can resemble those of other diseases, syphilis can have severe long-term...
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, which thrives in freshwater environments. The disease was first identified after an outbreak in 1976 at a Philadelphia convention of the...
The plague is one of the most infamous diseases in human history, having caused devastating pandemics such as the Black Death in the 14th century, which wiped out a significant portion of Europe’s population....
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is part of the flavivirus genus, which includes other viruses such as Zika, dengue, and yellow fever. It was first identified in 1937 in the...
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, the respiratory system, and the eyes, leading...
Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a flavivirus transmitted by infected mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is an acute illness that can lead to...
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. Caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, it is known for its characteristic severe coughing fits, often followed...
Tetanus, commonly known as “lockjaw,” is a serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. This bacterium releases a potent neurotoxin called tetanospasmin, which affects the nervous system and leads to painful muscle contractions, particularly...
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Although diphtheria was once a leading cause of childhood illness and death, widespread vaccination has significantly reduced its occurrence in many parts of...
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. These neurotoxins are among the most potent poisons known to science, capable of causing muscle paralysis and...
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium forms spores, which can survive in harsh environmental conditions for long periods. While anthrax primarily affects livestock and wild animals,...
Leptospirosis is a widespread and significant zoonotic disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira. This bacterial infection is a global health concern, particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions where conditions such...
Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a group of bacteria that are found naturally in the intestines of humans and animals. While most strains of E. coli are harmless and play a...
Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria known as Shigella. It primarily affects the digestive system, causing diarrhea, often accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, and cramping. Shigella bacteria are highly...
Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia (also known as Giardia intestinalis or Giardia duodenalis). This parasite is one of the most common causes of waterborne diseases worldwide and...
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Often referred to as the “stomach flu” (though unrelated to influenza), norovirus leads to symptoms such as vomiting,...
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, a type of Salmonella bacterium. It spreads primarily through contaminated food or water and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from...
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease is primarily spread through contaminated water or food, and it can cause rapid dehydration and...
Salmonella infection, also known as salmonellosis, is a bacterial illness caused by the genus Salmonella, which consists of more than 2,500 serotypes. These bacteria commonly cause foodborne illness, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms such as...
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, transmitted primarily through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. It is the most common vector-borne disease in...
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are also known to spread other viruses such as dengue and chikungunya. First identified in...
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus. This zoonotic disease is transmitted from animals to humans and...
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of 5. It is caused by the poliovirus, which invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis, muscle...
Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious viral infection caused by the rubella virus. It is typically mild in children and adults, but it poses a significant threat to...
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands, located near the ears. The infection can lead to swelling in these glands, causing discomfort and visible enlargement...
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, which belongs to the paramyxovirus family. It primarily affects children but can infect individuals of all ages. Despite the availability of an...
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that affects millions of people worldwide each year. It is caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted to humans primarily through the bites of infected...