Infectious Diseases Resource Center - All Articles
Health ConditionsInfectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases - All Articles

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Infectious diseases can occur when pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites enter your body. Depending on the infection, you might experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, aching muscles, diarrhea, and coughing.

 Treatments include different medications that target pathogens, as well as various other ways of managing specific symptoms. Vaccinations, sanitation, safe food prep, good hygiene, and safe sex practices are some of the many ways to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

FAQ

What are some common types of infectious diseases?

Common viral diseases include the common cold, influenza, viral gastroenteritis, and hepatitis. Common bacterial diseases include strep throat, salmonella, tuberculosis, whooping cough, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and urinary tract infections. Fungal infections such as ringworm, vaginal candidiasis, and thrush are also widespread.

Infectious diseases can be spread through bodily contact, droplets from coughing or sneezing, bodily fluids and waste, and shared utensils. Food, water, soil, sand, and surface contamination can transmit pathogens as well. Infectious diseases can also spread through bug bites, during medical procedures, and from mother to fetus.

Vaccines, good hygiene, sanitary food handling, and safe sex practices can prevent many infectious diseases. Protecting against bug bites, avoiding contact with others while you or they are sick, and regularly disinfecting shared surfaces and objects can also reduce infection risk.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Different antibiotics attack different bacteria. However, some bacteria can become antibiotic-resistant if a person uses them too frequently or when they're unnecessary, thereby eliminating antibiotic options that can kill the bacteria. Use antibiotics as instructed to prevent this.

Antivirals interfere with viral replication and function, help your immune system work better, and reduce your body's number of active viruses, known as its viral load. However, most viruses clear up without antivirals.

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Jane Yoon Scott, MD

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Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowe...

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Justin Laube

Justin Laube, MD

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Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, a...

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Robert Jasmer, MD

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Robert Jasmer, MD, is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine. He is in private practice in Burlingame, California, where he specializin...

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Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Allison Buttarazzi, MD

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Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Allison Buttarazzi, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, and is a certified health and well-being coach. In her primary care practice, Dr. Buttarazzi...

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Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES

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Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She comp...

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Susan Bard, MD

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Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sin...

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Jonathan G. Stine, MD, MSc, FACP

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Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jonathan Stine, MD, MSc, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine and public health science at Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania.

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Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments...

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Jessica Lee, MD

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Natalia Johnsen, MD

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Erin C. Mayfield, DO

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Michelle Seguin, MD

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Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

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Resources
  1. Infectious Diseases. Mayo Clinic. February 18, 2022.
  2. Infectious Disease. leveland Clinic. June 6, 2022.

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What Is Salmonella?Medically Reviewed by Jane Yoon Scott, MD | March 30, 2026
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