Common Infectious Diseases
Picture
Disease
Disease
Causing
Agent
Strep Throat Bacteria
Symptoms
How spread
Treatment
Prevention
Fever, sore
throat, swollen
glands
Inhale droplets,
contact with
infected object
Antibiotic
Avoid contact
with infected
people
Tetanus
(lockjaw)
Bacteria
Stiff jaw and neck
muscles, spasms,
difficulty
swallowing
Deep puncture
wound
Antibiotic,
opening and
cleaning
wound
Vaccine
Bacteria
Fatigue, mild
fever, weight loss,
night sweats,
cough.
Inhale droplets
Antibiotic
Vaccine (for those
in high risk
occupations only)
Lyme
disease
Bacteria
Rash at site of
tick bite, chills,
fever, body aches,
joint swelling
Animal bite
(tick)
Antibiotic
Tuck pants into
socks, wear longsleeved shirt.
Food
Poisoning
Various
bacteria
Vomiting, cramps, Eating foods
diarrhea, fever
containing the
bacteria
Antitoxin
medicines,
rest
Properly cook
and store foods,
avoid foods in
rusted and
swollen cans
Turberculos
is (TB)
Rabies
Influenza
(flu)
Virus
Virus
Drooling, skin
sensitivity,
alternating
periods of rage
and calm,
difficulty
swallowing
High fever, sore
throat, headache,
cough
Animal bite
Vaccine
Avoid wild
animals and pets
that act
abnormally, keep
track of pets
outside
Contact with
contaminated
objects, inhale
droplets
Bed rest,
fluids,
antiviral
medication
Vaccine (best
guess for the
season)
Contact with
rash, inhale
droplets
Antiviral
drug (for
adults)
Vaccine
Chicken Pox
Virus
Fever, red itchy
rash
Measles
Virus
High fever, sore
Inhale droplets
throat, cough,
white spots on
cheek lining, rash,
puffy eyelids
Best rest,
cough
medicine
Vaccine
Acquired
immunedeficiency
syndrome
(AIDS)
Virus
Weight loss,
chronic fatigue,
fever, diarrhea,
frequent
infections
Drugs to
slow viral
multiplicatio
n
Avoid contact
with infected
body fluids
Sexual contact,
contact with
blood,
pregnancy,
birth, breast
feeding
Malaria
Protist
headache, fever,
shivering, joint
pain, vomiting
Bite from
infected
mosquito
Antimalarial
medication
mosquito
elimination and
the prevention of
bites
Cryptospori
diosis
Protist
Watery diarrhea,
dehydration,
weight loss,
stomach cramps,
fever, nausea,
vomiting
Rest, plenty
of fluids,
some
medications
available
Avoid swallowing
water while
swimming, purify
drinking water,
wash hands,
thoroughly cook
food.
Athlete’s
Foot
Fungus
Scaly red rash,
itching, burning,
possible dryness
and cracking of
skin
Ingestion of the
parasite from
water or
uncooked food.
Close contact
with infected
people or
animals.
Contact with
infected person
or
contaminated
surfaces
Antifungal
ointment,
pills for
severe
infection
Ringworm
Fungus
Red, circular rash, Contact with
may or may not
infected
itch.
persons or
contaminated
surfaces
Antifungal
medication
Keep feet dry,
change socks
regularly, don’t
walk barefoot
especially in
public spaces,
don’t share shoes.
Difficult to
prevent! Wash
hands and skin
regularly, stay
cool and dry,
don’t share
personal items.
Giardia
Protist
abdominal
cramps, bloating,
nausea and bouts
of watery
diarrhea, weight
loss, fatigue
Rest,
hydration,
some antiparasitic
drugs
Ingestion of
contaminated
water or food,
person to
person contact.
Wash hands
regularly, purify
water, don’t
swallow water
while swimming