What are infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases are caused by living organisms which can be passed on between people. You can contract an infection by touching, eating, drinking or breathing an infectious source.
There are four main types of living organisms which can cause infectious diseases: Bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases of animals that can cause disease when transmitted to humans.
How common are infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases kill more people worldwide than any other single cause. Around half of all deaths caused by infectious diseases each year are caused by just three diseases: malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. These diseases together cause over 300 million illnesses and more than 5 million deaths each year.
How can infectious diseases be prevented?
One of the ways to prevent or slow down the transmission of infectious diseases is to recognise their characteristics.
There are other preventative measures you can take to prevent infectious diseases. Make sure you wash your hands often, be aware of what you eat and how you prepare it, be cautious around wild animals, use insect repellents and avoid areas of insect infestation, and make sure you are immunised when you travel.
Additionally, report to your doctors promptly any quickly worsening infection.
How are infectious diseases treated?
Infections are usually treated using drugs. Most of the causes of infectious diseases are treatable.