Infectious Diseases Overview

Each flashcard includes a term related to infectious diseases along with its definition, helping students to review key concepts effectively.

Anthrax

A bacterial infection transmitted through spores from soil or animals, characterized by skin ulcers or respiratory distress.

Whooping Cough

A bacterial disease transmitted through respiratory droplets, marked by severe coughing fits.

Botulism

A bacterial illness caused by contaminated food or wounds, leading to muscle paralysis.

Tetanus

A bacterial infection from wound contamination that can cause muscle spasms and lockjaw.

Diphtheria

A bacterial infection transmitted through respiratory droplets, resulting in a throat membrane and breathing difficulty.

Gastroenteritis

An illness caused by a virus or bacteria, transmitted via fecal-oral route, leading to diarrhea and vomiting.

UTIs

Urinary Tract Infections caused by bacteria, resulting from ascending urethral infection and painful urination.

Sepsis

A severe bacterial infection that can cause body-wide inflammation and organ failure, sometimes resulting from other infections.

Shigellosis / Dysentery

A bacterial infection transmitted via fecal-oral route, characterized by bloody diarrhea.

MRSA

A type of bacteria that causes resistant skin infections and is transmitted by contact with infected skin or surfaces.

Rheumatic Fever

An immune complication that follows untreated strep throat, potentially causing heart inflammation and fever.

Meningitis

An infection, either viral or bacterial, transmitted through respiratory droplets, leading to stiff neck and headache.

Pneumonia

An infection (bacterial or viral) transmitted via respiratory droplets, characterized by cough and difficulty breathing.

Epiglottitis

A bacterial infection transmitted through respiratory droplets, causing throat swelling and breathing danger.

Leprosy

A bacterial infection transmitted through prolonged contact, resulting in nerve damage and skin lesions.

Tuberculosis

A bacterial infection spread through airborne droplets, leading to chronic cough and weight loss.

Gonorrhea

A bacterial sexually transmitted infection causing painful urination and discharge.

Epidemic Typhus

A bacterial infection transmitted by lice, characterized by fever and rash.

Typhoid Fever

A bacterial infection spread through contaminated food or water, resulting in fever and abdominal pain.

Skin Infections

Infections caused by bacteria or fungi transmitted through contact or wounds, causing redness, swelling, and pus.

Dental Caries

Cavities caused by bacteria due to poor oral hygiene.

Chickenpox

A viral infection transmitted through respiratory droplets, marked by an itchy rash and blisters.

Syphilis

A bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact, initially causing painless ulcers.

Cholera

A bacterial infection spread through contaminated water or food, characterized by severe watery diarrhea.

Plague

A bacterial infection transmitted by fleas or rodents, symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and fever.

Legionnaires’ Disease

A bacterial infection caused by inhaled water droplets, leading to severe pneumonia.

Malaria

A parasitic infection transmitted by mosquito bites, characterized by fever, chills, and anemia.

Visceral Leishmaniasis

A parasitic infection caused by sandfly bites, leading to enlarged spleen and liver and fever.

Giardiasis

A parasitic infection transmitted through contaminated water, resulting in diarrhea and bloating.

Beef Tapeworm Infection

A parasitic infection from undercooked meat, leading to digestive discomfort.

Ringworm

A fungal infection transmitted through skin contact, characterized by a circular itchy rash.

Strep Throat

A bacterial infection spread through respiratory droplets, causing sore throat and fever.

Shingles

A viral infection that reactivates from varicella, leading to a painful blistered rash.

Hepatitis B

A viral infection transmitted through blood or sexual contact, resulting in liver inflammation.

Hepatitis C

A viral infection spread through blood contact, often chronic, causing liver damage.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

A viral infection transmitted via rodent droppings, leading to severe respiratory failure.

Ebola Virus Disease

A viral infection spread through bodily fluids, characterized by fever and hemorrhage.

SARS

A viral respiratory illness transmitted through droplets, manifesting as severe pneumonia.

Toxoplasmosis

A parasitic infection commonly from cat feces or undercooked meat, typically mild but dangerous during pregnancy.

Guinea Worm Disease

A parasitic infection transmitted via contaminated water, resulting in painful skin blisters.

Athlete’s Foot

A fungal infection spread through skin contact or shared surfaces, causing itchy, scaly feet.

Yeast Infection

A fungal infection due to overgrowth of normal flora, characterized by itching and discharge.

Poliomyelitis

A viral infection transmitted via fecal-oral route, leading to paralysis in severe cases.

Scarlet Fever

A bacterial infection spread through respiratory droplets, causing a rash and sore throat.