Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful bugs (pathogens) that get into your body from the outside. Pathogens that cause infectious diseases are usually viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. You can get infections from other people, bug bites and contaminated food, water or soil. Some common symptoms of infections are fever, cough, cold, loose motions, body aches, pain in the abdomen, headache, vomiting and nausea. Some important and serious complications of infections include dehydration, pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis and cancers (cervical and liver cancer). Sometimes we need certain tests (blood or scans) in order to assess the severity and type of infection which can help us to manage infection along with its complications. Effective preventive strategies to reduce the risk of catching and spreading the infection can help in breaking the chain of events.