Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that can be transmitted between individuals. They cause symptoms like fever, chills and body aches. Throughout history, scientists have made important discoveries to better understand and treat infectious diseases, such as Semmelweis identifying the importance of hand washing, Pasteur developing vaccinations, and Fleming discovering penicillin.

1. By
Stephanie Louis & Christopher Assi

2.  are caused by microorganisms or other
agents, such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
 enter the body of an
organism, proliferate, and cause infection.
 can be spread, directly or indirectly, from
one person to another.

3. Causes of Infectious
Diseases:
Bacteria: These organisms are
responsible for illnesses such as
strep throat, urinary tract
infections, and tuberculosis.
Viruses: Smaller than
bacteria, viruses cause a multitude
of diseases ranging from the
common cold to AIDS.
Fungi. Many skin diseases, such
as ringworm and athlete's foot, are
caused by fungi. Other types of
fungi can infect your lungs or
nervous system.
Parasites. Malaria is caused by a
tiny parasite that is transmitted by
a mosquito bite. Other parasites
may be transmitted to humans
from animal feces.

6. Table 1. Top five pathogens contributing to domestically
acquired foodborne illnesses
Pathogen Estimated number of illnesses
Norovirus 5,461,731
Salmonella, nontyphoidal 1,027,561
Clostridium perfringens 965,958
Campylobacter spp. 845,024
Staphylococcus aureus 241,148

8.  Contaminated food and water.
 Airborne transmission
 Direct contact
 Vectors and Fomites
 Blood

9. Prevention
 Prophylaxis (Vaccinations)
 Hygiene/Hand-washing

10. Infectious diseases have a
range of signs and
symptoms.
General signs and
symptoms of infectious
diseases include:

11. Various accomplished scientists have made strides toward
understanding and preventing the spread of infectious diseases;
and have developed treatments including antibiotics and
vaccines.

16. Known as “The Savior of Mothers”, Semmelweiss first discovered the
importance of physician’s hand-washing prior before child-birthing, to
prevent contamination from one patient to another.

19. Pasteur’s pasteurization technique was initially used to reduce the number of
pathogens in foods such as wine, beer, and milk. He proved that bacteria came
from the environment; instead of the commonly held belief - spontaneous
generation. He extended the Germ Theory to explain the causes of many
diseases - including anthrax, cholera, tuberculosis, and smallpox.
Pasteurization led to the advancement of vaccinations.

21. Joseph Lister covered compound fracture wounds with lint soaked in carbolic
acid. Following implementing this practice, patient death by gangrene dropped
dramatically. He later implemented pre-operative hand-washing and instrument
sterilization. Lister developed a phenol (antiseptic) spray; which he administered into
the air surrounding the operating area, to reduce infection from environmental
pathogens. The post-operative death rate of his patients fell from nearly 46% to 15%.

22. In 1928, accidentally discovered a breakthrough
in medicine.

23. While working with the influenza virus, Fleming
observed that mold had accidently developed on a
bacterial culture plate and had formed a bacteria-free
circle around a bacterial colony. He discovered that a
mold culture prevented the growth of Staphylococci. The
active substance in the mold has now come to be known
as…

24. … which has come to be recognized as one of the
most commonly prescribed antibiotics the world has
known to date!!!

25. Tests & Diagnosis
Blood tests.
Urine and stool tests.
Throat swabs.
CT Scan
Biopsy
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture).

26. Treatment & Drugs
Antivirals
Drugs have been developed to treat
some, but not all, viruses. Examples
include the viruses that cause:
• AIDS
• Herpes
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Influenza
Antibiotics
• Penicillin (Permapen)
• Amoxicillin (Moxatag)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea)
Antifungals
Anti-parasitic drugs

27. World Health
Organization, The
Global Burden of
Disease 2004 Update,
Geneva: 2009
Global distribution of
deaths among children
under age 5, by cause,
2010

28.  http://www.who.int/topics/infectious_diseases/en/
 http://www.cdc.gov/oid/
 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infectious-
diseases/DS01145
 http://www.smartglobalhealth.org/issues/entry/infectious-
diseases
 http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/infectiousdiseas
es_timeline/index.cfm?age=Age%20Range%2014-
16&subject=History
 http://www.childinfo.org/malnutrition.html
 http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/people/josep
hlister.aspx
 http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1
945/fleming-bio.html
 http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti/std-statistics.html