List of Common Infectious Diseases

List of infectious diseases

The various causes of common infectious diseases are bacteria, fungus, parasites, prions and viruses.

• Anthrax : multiplication of Bacillus anthracis in the body.


• Bacterial meningitis : inflammation of the protective membranes of the central nervous system.


• Botulism : blockage of nerve function and respiratory as well as musculoskeletal paralysis.


• Brucellosis:entrance of Brucella bacteria by direct contact or untreated/contaminated milk of animals.


• Campylobacteriosis : an inflammatory and at times bloody diarrhea or dysentery.


• Cat scratch disease: after 7 to 14 days or 2 months after a cat scratch, tender regional lymphadenopathy, slight fever, headache, chills, malaise, abdominal pain, backache, convulsions or sterile suppurative papules at the site of inoculation occur.


• Cholera: transmission of Vibrio cholerae by ingestion of contaminated food or water causes diarrheal disease.


• Diphtheria : upper respiratory tract illness having sore throat, low-grade fever and an adherent layer on the tonsils, nasal cavity, pharynx.


• Epidemic Typhus: caused by louse-borne bacteria


• Gonorrhea : common sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrheae.


• Impetigo : superficial skin infection common in the age group of 2 to 6.


• Legionellosis : pneumonia or mild respiratory illness like acute influenza.


• Leprosy (Hansen's disease) : granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract.


• Leptospirosis : biphasic disease with meningitis, liver damage and renal failure.


• Listeriosis: occurs in newborn infants, elderly people and immunocompromised patients.


• Lyme disease: rash and flu symptoms followed by musculoskeletal, psychiatric, neurologic, arthritic and cardiac manifestations.


• Melioidosis : caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is found in soil and water.


• MRSA infection : characterized by quick weight loss and muscle depletion.


• Nocardiosis : Nocardia asteroides or Nocardia brasiliensis affects either the lungs or the entire body.


• Pertussis (Whooping cough) : severe hacking cough followed by high intake of breath.


• Plague : occurs when person is bitten by an infected flea.


• Pneumococcal pneumonia : illness of the lungs and respiratory system where the alveoli are inflammed and filled with fluid.


• Psittacosis : contracted from parrots, pigeons, hens, ducks, sparrows and sea gulls.


• Q fever : due to inhalation of contaminated particles in the air or contact with the vaginal mucus, milk, feces, semen, urine of infected animals.


• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever : most severe rickettsial illness in the United States.


• Salmonellosis : causes typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and foodborne illness.


• Scarlet fever : infection may occur through bloodstream or skin and underlying tissues.


• Shigellosis : dysentery due to poor hygiene.


• Syphilis : sexually transmitted disease due to sexual contact or congenital mode.


• Tetanus : prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers.


• Trachoma : infectious disease of human eye probably leading to blindness.


• Tuberculosis : generally attacks the lungs but may affect central nervous system, circulatory system, lymphatic system, bones, joints, genitourinary system and skin.


• Tularemia : heachache, fatigue, muscle pains, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, inflammation of face and eyes and lymph nodes.


• Typhoid fever : due to ingestion of food or water adulterated with feces of an infected person.


• Typhus : severe headache, sustained high fever, severe muscle pain, rash, cough, chills, stupor, decreasing blood pressure, delirium characterize it.


• Urinary tract infections : cystitis or pyelonephritis.