If a disease can’t spread, it’s done — infection is its livelihood. So after a few million years of evolution, we get stuck with a host of nasty bugs that can hop from human to human like we hop from website to website. They’re mean, they’re fast and many of them are deadly. Super-contagious diseases spread like wildfire through everyday contact and they’re good at hiding signs of infection until it’s too late — by the time you get the sniffles, you’ve probably already passed it on to someone else. The best way to battle any of these nasty bugs is to avoid them altogether. Keep your eyes open for these most-unwanted diseases, and stay healthy.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is virus that attacks the liver. It’s a wily bug, one that likes unsanitary conditions. It’s mainly transmitted through food by cooks who forget to wash their hands after they, ahem, take a break in the bathroom. The virus causes fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, appetite loss, and jaundice — and there’s no treatment for the virus. Hepatitis A victims simply must endure the discomforts and side effects of the disease.
Breeding grounds: Most of us who are fortunate enough to live in industrialized countries have been vaccinated against Hepatitis A. That renders us immune from infection for about 15 years. If you haven’t been vaccinated, however, it’s easy to catch Hepatitis A in unsanitary conditions. If you’re traveling through rural villages, make sure you drink bottled water only and avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables that have been washed in suspect water.
Malaria
Malaria is one of the most infectious diseases in history. It has infected countless people across the globe and it still kills millions every year. The malaria parasite lives in the gut of the Anopheles mosquito and is transmitted through the bug's bite. Once it enters your system, it goes straight for the liver, where it grows and multiplies. When it has marshaled enough forces, it invades the blood stream, where it infects red blood cells. Symptoms include wracking fevers, shivering, vomiting, anemia, and convulsions. Without treatment, it is highly fatal.
Breeding grounds: Malaria is widespread in tropical regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South America and parts of Southeast Asia. Anywhere you find Anopheles mosquitoes, you’ll likely find malaria. Anti-malaria drugs are available for travelers who visit those regions, but the malaria parasite is quickly becoming resistant to the drugs. Check with the CDC before you travel to determine if you’ll need to worry about taking anti-malaria drugs on your next trip to the tropics.
Measles
Most everybody gets measles when they’re a kid. That’s because it’s one of the most contagious viruses known to man. It can be transmitted by breath over surprising distances and it can jump from victim to victim through touch almost instantaneously. If measles comes into a household, 90% of those who aren’t immune will catch it. It causes the telltale red spots, fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. The virus is rarely fatal in industrialized nations. Some patients develop pneumonia after catching measles — a much more potent respiratory virus. If you've contracted measles once, you’re pretty much immune for your entire life — although immunity can wane and minor re-infection can occur.
Check out the constantly mutating, most contagious disease...
Breeding grounds: If you’re looking for measles, visit your local preschool. Most small children catch the virus there and spread it like wildfire. It is relevant to note that contracting measles when you are a child is much better for you than contracting them when you are older as they can manifest into much worse conditions as you age.
Tuberculosis
More than one-third of the world’s population carries the tuberculosis bacteria and a new infection occurs about once every second. Tuberculosis is a nasty lung-attacking bacteria that causes chest pains, coughing up blood and a phlegm-filled cough that lasts longer than three weeks. It also triggers night sweats, appetite loss, weight loss, pallor, and fatigue. If left untreated, the mortality rate for a full-blown tuberculosis infection is greater than 50%. Treatment involves long periods of antibiotic therapy, from six months to a year. The bacteria is spread through direct contact, coughing and sneezing.
Breeding grounds: Tuberculosis is common in developing nations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It’s also found in South America and Asia in less-developed regions. In these areas the disease can be especially difficult to treat. The required antibiotics are expensive, often beyond the means of the infected. There is a tuberculosis vaccine, called BCG. It was developed between 1905 and 1921, but many countries do not have access to sufficient amounts of the vaccine to make a big impact on rates of infection and control.
Influenza
Everyone on the planet is familiar with the most infectious disease: Influenza. It’s a blanket term for a number of wily RNA viruses that adapt quickly and spread even quicker. They are spread through direct and indirect contact (touching a doorknob that harbors the virus) and through the air via coughs and sneezes. Most of the viruses cause basic flu symptoms: body aches, coughing and sneezing, chills, fever, fatigue, headaches, and congestion. Some, however, are extremely deadly. The Spanish Flu killed more than 40 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1920. The pandemic was one of the worst in recorded history.
Breeding grounds: Influenza is found everywhere. It peaks during the winter season in both hemispheres, breeding like crazy and flitting through the population. Flu vaccines, or “shots,” are available. They’re made on an almost yearly basis, using the most common influenza bugs at the time. They are fairly effective, but flu viruses are known for fast mutation rates and thus circumventing immunities. If you want to stay well this flu season, get your shot and remember to wash your hands frequently. Also keep your distance from the infected.
Viruses, bacteria and parasites have been infecting, well, everything for eons. There is absolutely no chance we’ll ever get rid of them. We can only manage them and, to some extent, avoid them. Keeping up to date with the latest vaccines with your doctor is important, especially if you are planning on traveling to underdeveloped countries in the near future. It's better to be safe and healthy then infected and very sorry.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is virus that attacks the liver. It’s a wily bug, one that likes unsanitary conditions. It’s mainly transmitted through food by cooks who forget to wash their hands after they, ahem, take a break in the bathroom. The virus causes fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, appetite loss, and jaundice — and there’s no treatment for the virus. Hepatitis A victims simply must endure the discomforts and side effects of the disease.
Breeding grounds: Most of us who are fortunate enough to live in industrialized countries have been vaccinated against Hepatitis A. That renders us immune from infection for about 15 years. If you haven’t been vaccinated, however, it’s easy to catch Hepatitis A in unsanitary conditions. If you’re traveling through rural villages, make sure you drink bottled water only and avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables that have been washed in suspect water.
Malaria
Malaria is one of the most infectious diseases in history. It has infected countless people across the globe and it still kills millions every year. The malaria parasite lives in the gut of the Anopheles mosquito and is transmitted through the bug's bite. Once it enters your system, it goes straight for the liver, where it grows and multiplies. When it has marshaled enough forces, it invades the blood stream, where it infects red blood cells. Symptoms include wracking fevers, shivering, vomiting, anemia, and convulsions. Without treatment, it is highly fatal.
Breeding grounds: Malaria is widespread in tropical regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South America and parts of Southeast Asia. Anywhere you find Anopheles mosquitoes, you’ll likely find malaria. Anti-malaria drugs are available for travelers who visit those regions, but the malaria parasite is quickly becoming resistant to the drugs. Check with the CDC before you travel to determine if you’ll need to worry about taking anti-malaria drugs on your next trip to the tropics.
Measles
Most everybody gets measles when they’re a kid. That’s because it’s one of the most contagious viruses known to man. It can be transmitted by breath over surprising distances and it can jump from victim to victim through touch almost instantaneously. If measles comes into a household, 90% of those who aren’t immune will catch it. It causes the telltale red spots, fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. The virus is rarely fatal in industrialized nations. Some patients develop pneumonia after catching measles — a much more potent respiratory virus. If you've contracted measles once, you’re pretty much immune for your entire life — although immunity can wane and minor re-infection can occur.
Check out the constantly mutating, most contagious disease...
Breeding grounds: If you’re looking for measles, visit your local preschool. Most small children catch the virus there and spread it like wildfire. It is relevant to note that contracting measles when you are a child is much better for you than contracting them when you are older as they can manifest into much worse conditions as you age.
Tuberculosis
More than one-third of the world’s population carries the tuberculosis bacteria and a new infection occurs about once every second. Tuberculosis is a nasty lung-attacking bacteria that causes chest pains, coughing up blood and a phlegm-filled cough that lasts longer than three weeks. It also triggers night sweats, appetite loss, weight loss, pallor, and fatigue. If left untreated, the mortality rate for a full-blown tuberculosis infection is greater than 50%. Treatment involves long periods of antibiotic therapy, from six months to a year. The bacteria is spread through direct contact, coughing and sneezing.
Breeding grounds: Tuberculosis is common in developing nations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It’s also found in South America and Asia in less-developed regions. In these areas the disease can be especially difficult to treat. The required antibiotics are expensive, often beyond the means of the infected. There is a tuberculosis vaccine, called BCG. It was developed between 1905 and 1921, but many countries do not have access to sufficient amounts of the vaccine to make a big impact on rates of infection and control.
Influenza
Everyone on the planet is familiar with the most infectious disease: Influenza. It’s a blanket term for a number of wily RNA viruses that adapt quickly and spread even quicker. They are spread through direct and indirect contact (touching a doorknob that harbors the virus) and through the air via coughs and sneezes. Most of the viruses cause basic flu symptoms: body aches, coughing and sneezing, chills, fever, fatigue, headaches, and congestion. Some, however, are extremely deadly. The Spanish Flu killed more than 40 million people worldwide between 1918 and 1920. The pandemic was one of the worst in recorded history.
Breeding grounds: Influenza is found everywhere. It peaks during the winter season in both hemispheres, breeding like crazy and flitting through the population. Flu vaccines, or “shots,” are available. They’re made on an almost yearly basis, using the most common influenza bugs at the time. They are fairly effective, but flu viruses are known for fast mutation rates and thus circumventing immunities. If you want to stay well this flu season, get your shot and remember to wash your hands frequently. Also keep your distance from the infected.
Viruses, bacteria and parasites have been infecting, well, everything for eons. There is absolutely no chance we’ll ever get rid of them. We can only manage them and, to some extent, avoid them. Keeping up to date with the latest vaccines with your doctor is important, especially if you are planning on traveling to underdeveloped countries in the near future. It's better to be safe and healthy then infected and very sorry.
