Human beings can be infected with diseases that are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. There are also other microscopic life forms that can cause infectious diseases in humans. These minute organisms live in or on the body, and they can be passed on from one person to another. As such, it is important that if a person has contracted any infectious diseases, he has to be separated from the general population to prevent the further spread of the disease.
In its mildest form, our body’s immune system is capable of fighting off these infectious diseases. But there are those that can be quite deadly and if left untreated may lead to death.
Here is a list of five common infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria.
1. Cholera
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae which contaminates water and food usually seafood. It can cause diarrhea and water loss. This disease spreads through the contaminated water and food that we consume.
2. Meningitis
Meningitis can be caused either by a virus or bacteria. Many different types of bacteria can cause meningitis but the majority of cases of bacterial meningitis are the meningococcal or the pneumococcal. The bacteria cannot live outside the human body. It thrives on the back of the nose and throat, or in the upper respiratory tract. As such, this disease is spread through coughing or sneezing or kissing.
3. Tetanus
Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This disease cannot be spread from person to person but the bacterium is present in the soil, in the intestines and feces of household and farm animals as well as human excretion. It is a dangerous disease as it attacks the nervous system and causes paralysis which can lead to death but this disease can be easily prevented through vaccination.
4. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is spread through the air. This is a highly infectious disease which causes difficulty in breathing as the bacteria infect the lungs.
5. Whoopping cough (pertussis)
Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordatella pertusis which is spread through the air. It can cause severe coughing caused by an infection of the windpipe (trachea).
The above common infectious diseases are now not as fatal as they used to be with new treatments found and many advances in the health field. However, if proper treatment and vaccination are not given, these infectious diseases can cause death.
