Typhoid fever (Epidemic typhus)

Other names: camp fever, jail fever, hospital fever, ship fever, petechial fever, epidemic louse-born typhus. Epidemic typhus, also known as louse-borne typhus, is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters where civil life is disrupted. Epidemic typhus is spread to people through contact with infected body lice, in contrast to endemic typhus which is usually transmitted by fleas. Though typhus has been responsible for millions of deaths throughout history, it is still considered a rare disease that occurs mainly in populations tha…

Plague

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. ♦ Signs and symptoms General symptoms of plague include fever, chills, headaches, and nausea. Many people experience swelling in their lymph nodes if they have bubonic plague. For those with pneumonic plague, symptoms may (or may not) include a cough, pain in the chest, and haemoptysis. Other clinical manifestations include plague meningitis, plague pharyngitis, and ocular plague. There are three forms of plague, each affecting a different part of the body and causing associated symptoms. - Bubonic plague affects th…

Tuberculosis (TB)

♦ What is tuberculosis (TB)? Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is an infectious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in which case it is known as latent tuberculosis. Around 10% of latent infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kill about half of those affected. Typical symptoms of active TB are chronic cough with blood-containing mucus, f…

Tularemia_Rabbit Fever

♦ What is tularemia? Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Symptoms may include fever, skin ulcers, and enlarged lymph nodes. Occasionally, a form that results in pneumonia or a throat infection may occur. The bacterium is typically spread by ticks, deer flies, or contact with infected animals. It may also be spread by drinking contaminated water or breathing in contaminated dust. Diagnosis is by blood tests or cultures of the infected site. Prevention is by using insect repellent, wearing long pants, rapidly remov…

Whooping Cough

♦ What is whooping cough? Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or the 100-day cough, is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable bacterial disease. Initial symptoms are usually similar to those of the common cold with a runny nose, fever, and mild cough, but these are followed by two or three months of severe coughing fits. Following a fit of coughing, a high-pitched whoop sound or gasp may occur as the person breathes in. The violent coughing may last for 10 or more weeks, hence the phrase "100-day cough". The cough may be so hard that it causes vomiting, rib fractures, and…

Erysipeloid or fish poison

♦ What is erysipeloid / fish poison? Erysipeloid or fish poison is an infectious skin disease in humans that is usually caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and is usually mild. Fish poison often occurs on the fingers when E. rhusiopathiae penetrates the skin if there is a small wound. People who work professionally with animals, meat or fish are particularly at risk. There are three distinguishable forms: • Local cutaneous - (erysipeloid of Rosenbach) usually on the fingers; blue-red, painful spots on the skin, sometimes presence of vesicles or bullae. • Diffus…

Leprosy

♦ What is leprosy? Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This nerve damage may result in a lack of ability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of a person's extremities from repeated injuries or infection through unnoticed wounds. An infected person may also experience muscle weakness and poor eyesight. Leprosy symptoms may begin within one year, but, for some people, symptoms may take 20 years or more to occur. &diams…

Tetanus

♦ What is tetanus? Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and characterized by muscle spasms. In the most common type, the spasms begin in the jaw, and then progress to the rest of the body. Each spasm usually lasts for a few minutes. Spasms occur frequently for three to four weeks. Some spasms may be severe enough to fracture bones. ♦ Natural habitat C. tetani is commonly found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. ♦ Cause The bacteria generally enter through a break in the skin, such as a cut or puncture wound caused by a contamin…

Diphtheria

♦ What is diphtheria? Is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. ♦ Signs and symptoms The symptoms of diphtheria usually begin two to seven days after infection. Symptoms of diphtheria include fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or above, chills, fatigue, bluish skin coloration (cyanosis), sore throat, hoarseness, cough, headache, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, foul-smelling and bloodstained nasal discharge, and lymphadenopathy. Within two to three days, diphtheria may destroy healthy tissues in the respirat…

Melioidosis

♦ What is Melioidosis? Is an infectious disease caused by a Gram-negative bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in soil and water. It is of public health importance in endemic areas, particularly in northeast Thailand, Vietnam, and northern Australia. It exists in acute, chronic and latent forms. Signs and symptoms may include pain in chest, bones, or joints; cough; skin infections, lung nodules, and pneumonia. B. pseudomallei was previously classed as part of the genus Pseudomonas; until 1992, it was known as Pseudomonas pseudomallei. It is phylogenetically related closely t…

Lyme / Borreliosis

♦ What is Lyme disease (borreliosis)? Also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria named Borrelia spread by ticks. The most common sign of infection is an expanding area of redness on the skin, known as erythema migrans, that appears at the site of the tick bite about a week after it occurred. The rash is typically neither itchy nor painful. Approximately 70-80% of infected people develop a rash. Other early symptoms may include fever, headache and tiredness. If untreated, symptoms may include loss of the ability to move one or both sides of the face, joi…

Listeriosis

♦ What is Listeriosis? Is a bacterial infection most commonly caused by Listeria monocytogenes, although L. ivanovii and L. grayi have been reported in certain cases. Listeriosis can cause severe illness, including severe sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis, sometimes resulting in lifelong harm and even death. Those at risk of severe illness are the elderly, unborn babies, newborns and those who are immunocompromised. In pregnant women it may cause stillbirth or spontaneous abortion, and preterm birth is common. Listeriosis may cause mild, self-limiting gastroenteritis and fever in anyon…

Actinomycosis

♦ What is Actinomycosis? Actinomycosis is a rare infectious bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species. About 70% of infections are due to either Actinomyces israelii or A. gerencseriae. Infection can also be caused by other Actinomyces species, as well as Propionibacterium propionicus, which presents similar symptoms. The condition is likely to be polymicrobial anaerobic infection. ♦ Signs and symptoms The disease is characterised by the formation of painful abscesses in the mouth, lungs, breast, or gastrointestinal tract. Actinomycosis abscesses grow larger as the disease pr…

Lemierre syndrome

♦ What is Lemiere’s syndrome? Refers to infectious thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. It most often develops as a complication of a bacterial sore throat infection (pharyngitis) in young, otherwise healthy adults. The thrombophlebitis is a serious condition and may lead to further systemic complications such as bacteria in the blood or septic emboli. ♦ Sign and symtomps of Lemierre's syndrome vary, but usually start with a sore throat, fever, and general body weakness. These are followed by extreme lethargy, spiked fevers, rigors, swollen cervical lymph nodes,…

Legionnaires disease

♦ What is Legionnaires disease? Is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any type of Legionella bacteria. ♦ Signs and symptoms The length of time between exposure to the bacteria and the appearance of symptoms is generally two to ten days, but can rarely extend to as much as 20 days. For the general population, among those exposed between 0.1% and 5% develop disease, while among those in hospital between 0.4% and 14% develop disease. Those with Legionnaires' disease usually have fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Almost all with Legionnaires…

Syphilis

♦ What is syphilis? Is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. ♦ Signs and symptoms are vary depending in which of the four stages it presents (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). • primary stage Is typically acquired by direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person. Approximately 3 to 90 days after the initial exposure (average 21 days) a skin lesion, called a chancre, appears at the point of contact. This is classically (40% of the time) a single, firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration w…

Cystic Fibrosis_CF

♦ What is Cystic Fibrosis_CF? Is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestine. ♦ Signs and symptoms Long-term issues include difficulty breathing and coughing up mucus as a result of frequent lung infections. Other signs and symptoms may include sinus infections, poor growth, fatty stool, clubbing of the fingers and toes, and infertility in most males. Different people may have different degrees of symptoms. Clubbed fingers is a symptom of disease, often of the heart or lungs which cause chronically low blood levels of oxyge…

Trench Mouth_Plaut-Vincent_acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

synonymous: • trench mouth • Plaut-Vincent • Vincent's angina • acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis ♦ What is acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis? A progressive painful disease of the mouth that is marked especially by dirty gray ulceration of the mucous membranes, bleeding of the gums, and a foul odor to the breath and that is associated with the presence of large numbers of a rod-shaped bacterium (Fusobacterium fusiforme synonym F. nucleatum) and a spirochete (Treponema vincentii synonym Borrelia vincentii) in the lesions ► called also trench mouth &diam…

Erysipelas

Erysipelas (/ˌɛrəˈsɪpələs/) is a relatively common bacterial infection of the superficial layer of the skin (upper dermis), extending to the superficial lymphatic vessels within the skin, characterized by a raised, well-defined, tender, bright red rash, typically on the face or legs, but which can occur anywhere on the skin. It is a form of cellulitis and is potentially serious. Erysipelas is usually caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A β-hemolytic streptococci, which enters the body through a break in the skin, such as a scratch or an insect bite. It is m…

Cellulitis

♦ What is cellulitis? Is a bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin. It specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat. ♦ Signs and symptoms Include an area of redness which increases in size over a few days. The borders of the area of redness are generally not sharp and the skin may be swollen. While the redness often turns white when pressure is applied, this is not always the case. The area of infection is usually painful. Lymphatic vessels may occasionally be involved, and the person may have a fever and feel tired. The legs and face are the most common …

Biopsy Sinusitis_Aspergillus flavus

♦ Biopsy (excisional) Is a medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or an interventional cardiologist involving extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. ♦ Sinusitis Also known as a sinus infection or rhinosinusitis, is inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the sinuses resulting …

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

♦ What is Creutzfeld-Jakob (CJD)? also known as classic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, is a fatal degenerative brain disorder. Early symptoms include memory problems, behavioral changes, poor coordination, and visual disturbances. Later dementia, involuntary movements, blindness, weakness, and coma occur. About 90% of people die within a year of diagnosis. CJD is believed to be caused by a protein known as a prion. Infectious prions are misfolded proteins that can cause normally folded proteins to become misfolded. Most cases occur spontaneously, while about 7.5% of cases are inherited…

Meningitis

♦ What is meningitis? Is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. ♦ Signs and symptoms • In adults The most common symptom of meningitis is a severe headache, occurring in almost 90% of cases of bacterial meningitis, followed by nuchal rigidity (the inability to flex the neck forward passively due to increased neck muscle tone and stiffness). The classic triad of diagnostic signs consists of 1_nuchal rigidity, 2_sudden high fever, 3_altered mental status however, all three features are present in …

Cholera

♦ What is cholera? Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is caused by a number of types of Vibrio cholerae, with some types producing more severe disease than others. It is spread mostly by unsafe water and unsafe food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria. Undercooked seafood is a common source. Humans are the only animal affected. Risk factors for the disease include poor sanitation, not enough clean drinking water, and poverty. There are concerns that rising sea levels will increase rates …

Cat Scratch Disease

♦ What is cat scratch disease (CSD)? Is a common and usually benign infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. It is most commonly found in children following a scratch or bite from a cat. The infection develops at the point of injury within about 3-14 days. ♦ Signs and symtoms Cat-scratch disease commonly presents as tender, swollen lymph nodes near the site of the inoculating bite or scratch or on the neck, and is usually limited to one side. This condition is referred to as regional lymphadenopathy and occurs 1–3 weeks after inoculation. Lymphadenopath…

Brucellosis

♦ What is brucellosis? Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. It is also known as undulant fever, Malta fever and Mediterranean fever. ♦ Brucella species Brucella species are small, gram negative, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped (coccobacilli) bacteria. They function as facultative intracellular bacteria, causing chronic disease, which usually persists for life. 4 species infect humans: B. abortus, B. canis, B. melitensis, and B. suis. - B. abort…

Botulism

♦ What is botulism? Botulism is a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and sometimes Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii. ♦ Where is botulism found? The bacteria that make botulinum toxin are common both in soil and water. They produce the botulinum toxin when exposed to low oxygen levels and certain temperatures. ♦ Spores These bacteria make spores, which act like protective coatings. Spores help the bacteria survive in the environment, even in extreme conditions. The spores usually do not cause people…

Anthrax

♦ What is anthrax? Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Contact with anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals. Anthrax is not contagious, which means you can’t catch it like the cold or flu. ♦ How do animals get infected with anthrax? Domestic and wild animals such as ca…