INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Illnesses that you can catch from somebody (or something) else: how to recognize
them, treat them, avoid them, and when to call the doctor.
By Donald Kaye, MD, with Maxine Abrams
Sooner or later we all do battle with
some form of infectious disease.
From athlete’s foot to exotic travel
infections, there are almost endless.
There are thousands, perhaps
hundreds of thousands, of different
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
protozoa that can invade the body
and interfere with its normal
functioning. Many of these
microorganisms are spread from
person to person, while others are
acquired from animals and still
others develop as complications of
other illnesses. Fortunately, thanks
to the development of vaccines,
antibiotics, improved sanitation,
and other public-health measures,
many of the most serious infections
have been eliminated or brought
under control in the United States.
Here, Good Housekeeping provides
the information your family needs
to identify, treat, and – mostimportant – avoid many of the most
worrisome common infections.
WHAT YOU CAN CATCH FROM SOMEBODY ELSE
ATHLETE’S FOOT
Contrary to popular conception,
you don’t have to be an athlete, go
swimming, or walk barefoot to
develop this infection – everyone
gets it at some point.
How to Get It
From a fungus found on skin,
which spreads to environment (the
ground, for example), where it can
infect other people. Infection most
likely to occur when we perspire
and have small breaks in the skin.
How to Recognize It
Itching, peeling, formation of
cracks in skin: possible pain and
bleeding. Typically affects both
feet.
Self-Help
Over-the-Counter antifungal
ointments, powders applied to
infected area.
When to Call the Doctor
In one week if symptoms don’t
improve. Call immediately if you
develop a fever, if foot becomes
red, swollen, tender, or if you
develop red streaks up leg
(indicating secondary bacterial
infection)
Treatment
Prescription medications,
antibiotics
How to Avoid It
Keep feet clean, dry; change socks
frequently; use medicated foot
powder preventively during warm
weather.
Treatment
No special treatment for most
people; antiviral agents for serious
cases.
How to Avoid It
Vaccine.
CHICKEN POX
A generally mild viral infection,
though usually more severe in
adults; can cause serious disease in
newborn if infection contracted in
late pregnancy.
How to Get It
From infected individuals (virus is
exhaled or shed into air from rash).
Can be spread during incubation
stage, before symptoms appear.
How to Recognize It
Mild fever, malaise, followed by
itchy rash – flat reddish areas
eventually form small, fluid-filled
blisters. These generally crust over
about 1 week after appearance of
rash.
Self-Help
Fluids, bed rest, acetaminophen
(Aspirin should NOT be given to
children with chicken pox because
it might lead to Reye’s Syndrome).
When to Call the Doctor
If chicken pox is suspected to
confirm the diagnosis
COMMON COLD
Most prevalent of all infectious
diseases. Virus damages cells that
line nasal passages, and frequently
spreads to throat, ears, and mucous
membranes of eyes. Once you
recover, you may be immune to
that particular virus, but there are
hundreds of different cold-causing
viruses.
How to Get It
Many colds spread hand to hand –
virus is picked up from hand of
person who has touched his
infected nose. Contrary to popular
belief, people do not catch colds
from a change in weather or by
drinking or eating from a plate
previously used by an infected
individual, provided it has been
routinely washed (most viruses do
not live very long on inanimate
objects).
How to Recognize It
Stuffy or runny nose aches, and
pains, sore throat, cough, watery
eyes, clogged ears, and low-grade
fever.
Self-Help
Over-the-Counter nose drops,
spray, decongestants, aspirin, or
acetaminophen.
When to Call the Doctor
If high fever, persistent cough,
earache, or other severe symptoms
develop.
How to Avoid It
Stay away from infected people
(though this is relatively ineffective
since virus excretion often precedes
symptoms); wash hands if you
touch someone with a cold. Nasal
spray or interferon can prevent
cold, but they are not yet approved
or available and are very expensive.
HEPATITIS
Relatively common infection of the
liver caused by many different
viruses; 3 most serious forms of the
disease are hepatitis A (infectious
hepatitis); hepatitis B (serum
hepatitis); and hepatitis non-A,
non-B.
How to Get It
Hepatitis A: Primarily by
eating or drinking fecally
contaminated water or food.
Largely a threat to travelers. Can
be transmitted through oral-anal
sex.
Hepatitis B: Through sex or
contaminated needles used by drug
abusers or, for health workers,
through contact with contaminated
blood during dental/surgical
procedures, accidental needle
sticks.
Hepatitis non-A, non-B:
Through transfusions with
contaminated blood (no screening
test available) and possibly by
sexual contact. May also be
acquired in contaminated food.
How to Recognize It
Symptoms range from virtually no
noticeable signs of illness to mild
lethargy and loss of appetite to
extreme exhaustion and jaundice –
yellow skin, eyes, dark urine.
When to Call the Doctor
At once if jaundice develops.
Treatment
No specific therapy, rest, balanced
diet.
How to Avoid It
Hepatitis A: Largely by
watching what you eat and drink
abroad. A single injection of
gamma globulin before travel or
after close contact with someone
who has the disease can provide
immunity.
Hepatitis B: With vaccine
prior to exposure, recommended
for health-care professionals and
others at high risk (such as male
homosexuals), or by an injection of
antibody shortly after exposure,
followed by vaccination.
Hepatitis non-A, non-B: no
sure prevention, but gamma
globulin may provide some
protection.
INFLUENZA
Viral infection of the trachea and
bronchial tubes.
How to Get It
By inhaling the virus. Infection
most prevalent from January
through April.
How to Recognize It
Acute onset of fever, dry cough,
often accompanied by headache
and muscular aches. Nasal
symptoms, sore throat – if they
occur – are minimal.
Self-Help
Aspirin, acetaminophen (children
should not be given Aspirin – it
might lead to Reye’s Syndrome);
liquids, bed rest.
When to Call the Doctor
If no improvement after 2-3 days, if
you begin to cough sputum, or if
you take a turn for the worse after
you have begun to fell better (you
may have developed bacterial
pneumonia).
Treatment
Same as self-help; antibiotics for
bacterial complications.
How to Avoid It
Immunization against current
strains of virus, given prior to
season. The drug amantadine can
provide protection while it is being
taken, but because of side effects
should be given only to those for
whom disease could pose a serious
threat.
MONONUCLEOSIS
Common disease caused by viral
infection, generally mild. (Many of
us have had “mono” during
childhood or adolescence without
knowing it.) Serious
complications, which are rare,
include anemia, a ruptured spleen
(avoid contact sports), even a form
of paralysis of infection involves
brain or spinal cord.
How to Get It
Oral contact with infected
individual. (Mono was dubbed the
“kissing disease” when it was noted
that male students developed
infection 30 to 50 days after a
vacation and were unlikely to
spread it to their male roommates!)
How to Recognize It
Fever, sore throat, swollen glands
in neck, armpit, and groin, general
aches, fatigue.
When to Call the Doctor
For very high fever, severe sore
throat, or symptoms that last more
than a week. Doctor should rule
out other more serious conditions.
Treatment
“Tincture of time”, bed rest if
needed.
How to Avoid It
No prevention.
PINWORMS
Most common of intestinal worms.
Worms about the size of a hair,
lives in rectum, lays its eggs on
anus at night. Occurs most
frequently in small children.
How to Get It
By touching infected person, then
putting hand in mouth or on food.
Infection occurs commonly in
children, who scratch their bottoms,
then re-infect themselves by putting
hands in mouth. Often passed to
other family members.
How to Recognize It
Anal itching, mainly at night.
When to Call the Doctor
When child continually scratches
himself in rectal area.
Treatment
Single dose of antiparasite
medication.
How to Avoid It
With children, no practical way.
When to Call the Doctor
For any of these symptoms.
Treatment
Most patients with viral pneumonia
recover on their own. Antibiotics
cure most bacterial pneumonia,
which are generally the most
dangerous.
How to Avoid It
Immunization against influenza
(which can lead to bacterial lung
infections); pneumococcal vaccine,
which protects against the most
common form of bacterial
pneumonia, recommended for the
elderly, patients with underlying
heart or lung disease, and people
whose spleens have been removed.
For any sore throat that lasts more
than a week or if there is severe
pain on swallowing, high fever, or
markedly swollen neck glands.
Treatment
Self-help measure for viral sore
throats. Penicillin for bacterial
infections.
How to Avoid It
See “Common Cold”.
VAGINAL INFECTIONS
These infections most often caused
by a protozoa (trichomonas), a
fungus (candida), or by bacteria.
How to Get It
Trichomonas is usually transmitted
sexually. Bacterial and yeast
infections may or may not be; a
THROAT INFECTION
course of antibiotics or use of oral
Most minor sore throats are caused contraceptives, for example,
PNEUMONIA
by viral infection; often as part of a increases susceptibility to yeast
Infection of the lungs, caused by
cold. Severe sore throats and
infections.
many different bacteria, viruses,
tonsillitis may be caused by either a How to Recognize It
protozoa, and fungi. Uncommon in bacterial infection (Streptococcus)
Vaginal discharge (which may
healthy young adults, but relatively or a virus. Strep sore throat should include pus and blood); itching and
common n older or chronically ill
not be neglected – it can lead to
burning.
individuals, alcoholics, and hospital abscesses around tonsils, middleWhen to Call the Doctor
patients. With complications, can
ear infections, even inflammation
When symptoms become annoying.
cause permanent damage to lungs.
of kidneys or rheumatic fever.
Treatment
Specific antiprotozoan or antiyeast
How to Get It
How to Get It
From an infected individual’s
From others with colds.
medications or antibiotics are used
cough; or by inhaling bacteria that
to treat different types of infections.
Self-Help
normally exist in your own mouth
Throat lozenges, aspirin, or
How to Avoid It
or throat.
acetaminophen (children should be For yeast infections, avoid oral
given only acetaminophen because contraceptives and unnecessary
How to Recognize It
Fever plus cough with sputum
of risk of Reye’s Syndrome).
antibiotics; other vaginal infections
production, blood in sputum, chest When to Call the Doctor
can be avoided by use of condoms.
pain, or shortness of breath.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
This large group of infections (STDs) ranges
from mild, curable illnesses to some forms of hepatitis
to the lethal AIDS. All are transmitted by sexual
contact, often before carriers know they have an
infection. Some untreated STDs can lead to infertility
in women, as well as cause some complications
during pregnancy. And in both sexes, untreated
gonorrhea can spread through the blood stream into
the joints; untreated syphilis can eventually lead to
heart and nervous-system damage. It is important to
see a doctor as soon as any problem is suspected.
Most STDs can be readily treated. And of course it is
also important to take proper precautionary measures:
Select one’s sexual partners carefully and use
condoms.
Disease
How to Recognize It
Early symptoms include extreme fatigue,
weight loss, fever, diarrhea, severe
susceptibility to pneumonia, rare infections and
forms of cancer.
Discharge from vaginia or penis; pain during
CLAMYDIA
urination (but in women; often no symptoms).
GENITAL WARTS Small warts in genital region (may be hidden in
women).
Discharge of pus from penis or vagina; painful
GONORRHEA
urination (but in women, often no symptoms).
Painful blisters on genitals.
HERPES
AIDS
SYPHILLIS
Painless sores on genital or inside vagina.
Treatment
No cure, but various infections are
treated as they arise.
Antibiotics
Topical medications; liquid nitrogen;
laser surgery.
Antibiotics
Acyclovir, an antiviral agent (relieves
symptoms, but virus remains in cells
and infection may recur).
Antibiotics
DISEASES YOU CAN GET FROM ANIMALS
How to Avoid It
Stay away from stray or wild
Lethal viral disease transmitted by
animals, have your own pet
contaminated saliva of infected
immunized; don’t keep other
animal.
mammals (except rodents or
How to Get It
Disease occurs in many mammals – rabbits) as pets. If your pet has an
encounter with wild animals, it may
dogs, cats, bats, cows, raccoons,
have contaminated saliva on body;
foxes, skunks, wolves, and others.
use gloves to chain or enclose pet;
Unvaccinated household pets,
then call veterinarian.
especially those that roam freely
and may be bitten by rabid animals,
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
can also be a source.
Self-Help
SPOTTED FEVER
Following any bite, wound should
Severe disease that infects the
be washed thoroughly with soap
lining of blood vessels throughout
and water.
the body. Mortality rate is 20%
When to Call the Doctor
without treatment, 5% with
If animal is unvaccinated, stray, or treatment. (Disease not confined to
you have been bitten by wild
Rock Mountains – named for
animal, trap animal if possible and laboratory in Rockies where
call local health authorities. (They infectious organisms were first
may or may not recommend rabies identified).
treatment based on experience with How to Get It
animal rabies in area.)
From bite of “wood” tick or dog
Treatment
tick; pets can carry ticks into home.
With antibody and new vaccine
How to Recognize It
(safer and less painful than old
series).
RABIES
Fever, headache, followed in a few
days by a red rash found mainly on
arms and legs.
When to Call the Doctor
For any fever and rash during the
tick season (late spring through
early fall).
Treatment
Antibiotics – must be started
promptly.
How to Avoid It
Check body for ticks carefully
whenever you are in wooded areas
during tick season, since bites don’t
cause much pain and frequently
occur on hairy parts of body, and
since ticks are usually small –
ranging from pinhead to pea size –
they may go unnoticed. Also check
children (most frequent victims of
disease) and household pets. If you
find a tick, use forceps or tweezers
to grasp it close to the skin, then
pull out the full tick (including the
burrowed mouth). Dispose of in
toilet. Wash skin with soap and
water or disinfect with alcohol.
OTHER
CYSTITIS
Fairly common infection of the
bladder. Usually caused when
bacteria that commonly exist in
rectum and vagina are transferred
to the bladder (as may occur during
intercourse, but often happens
spontaneously). More likely to
afflict women because of their
short urethras (tube that carries
urine from the bladder out of the
body).
How to Recognize It
Strong need to urinate; frequent
urination often accompanied by
pain, burning.
When to Call the Doctor
When the symptoms require
medication for relief, or if you
develop fever or pain along the
sides of the middle back (kidney
infection may be a complication).
Treatment
Sulfa drugs, some penicillins,
tetracyclines, and many
antibacterial agents.
How to Avoid It
Women who experience frequent
attacks may benefit from urinating
after intercourse so that bacteria are
washed out of the bladder and
urethra.
DIARRHEA (Infectious)
Although serious underlying
medical problems, such as colitis,
can cause diarrhea, most often the
problem is a result of a viral,
bacterial, or parasitic infection of
the gastrointestinal tract.
How to Get It
From infectious organisms that
may enter the body through
contaminated food or water.
How to Recognize It
Semiformed or loose bowel
movements passed at increased
rate. Diarrhea caused by a viral
infection may be accompanied by
fever, vomiting, headache, and
aching muscles. A more severe
diarrhea caused by bacteria (for
example Salmonella and Shigella),
which invade the wall of the
intestine, causing fever, cramps,
pain on defecation, and pus or
blood in stool. Parasitic infection
causes diarrhea that may last for
weeks, often with only low-grade
or no fever.
Self-Help
Over-the-Counter antidiarrheal
agents may control symptoms.
Drink lots of slat- and sugarcontaining fluids. Eat if you are
hungry – solid food will not “feed”
your infection.
When to Call the Doctor
If there is no improvement with 2-3
days; if you develop a high fever,
severe cramps, blood or pus in
stool, pain on defecation, or it you
begin to feel faint – a sign you are
becoming dehydrated. Call sooner
if diarrhea occurs in the very young
or the elderly.
Treatment
Prescription anti-motility agents;
specific antibiotics and antiparasitic
drugs for bacterial and parasitic
infections.
How to Avoid It
If you travel in tropics or
developing countries, do not drink
unboiled water, do not use ice
cubes made from unboiled water,
do not eat uncooked or unpeeled
foods. At home, handle food
safely.
How to Recognize It
Feeling of stuffiness in the ear,
often accompanied by pain inside
or behind ear.
When to Call the Doctor
Promptly if pain is severe. If
allowed to progress, ear infection
can permanently damage hearing,
spread to mastoid bone, even infect
brain.
Treatment
Usually antibiotics; sometimes ear
must be drained through drum.
How to Avoid It
Never blow nose hard or while
holding one nostril closed – you
may blow mucus into Eustachian
tubes. Never put anything in the
ear, you may puncture the drum,
making it easier for bacteria to
enter the middle ear.
SHINGLES
Also known as herpes zoster.
Caused by same virus that causes
chicken pox. Virus remains –
usually in latent form – inside
nerve cells of the body, then after
many years moves into the skin and
causes the illness.
How to Recognize It
Usually by a 3-4 inch band of
painful, tiny blisters on the skin on
one side of the body. Rash usually
disappears in several weeks, but
pain can be severe and may persist
long after rash is gone.
When to Call the Doctor
Whenever disease is suspected.
Treatment
EAR INFECTIONS
Usually none. Antiviral agent and
Although infections can occur in
steroids in severe cases or when
ear canal (often in swimmers), most eye is involved.
serious infections involve middle
How to Avoid It
ear. Most seen in children.
Chicken Pox Vaccine.
How to Get It
From blockage of drainage of the
TOXIC SHOCK
middle ear, frequently as a
Syndrome first received national
complication of a cold, tonsillitis,
attention in 1980, when it caused a
or sore throat.
number of highly publicized deaths
in young women. However, it is a
relatively uncommon condition and
occurs in both sexes and people of
all ages.
How to Get It
From certain strains of
Staphylococcus bacteria commonly
found in nose and occasionally on
skin and in vagina. Bacteria
release toxin which can produce
mild to very severe symptoms in
susceptible individuals. Most
reported cases have occurred
during menstruation in young
women wearing tampons
(particularly superabsorbent
varieties) for prolonged periods of
time.
How to Recognize It
High fever accompanied by red
rash all over body, falling blood
pressure (manifested by lightheadedness), possible diarrhea, and
vomiting. After 1 week, skin,
especially on hands, peels.
When to Call the Doctor
Any time you develop a high fever
and rash. Tampon users who
develop any fever and/or rash
during menstruation should remove
tampon and see physician if
improvement is not prompt.
Treatment
Intrvenous fluids, antibiotics in
severe cases.
How to Avoid It
During menstruation, change
tampon several time throughout
day, wear pads at night.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
NOBODY SHOULD GET ANY
MORE
The following diseases have been
brought under control through
development of effective vaccines.
 Diptheria
 Pertussis (Whooping
Cough)
 Tetanus
 Measles
 Mumps
 Polio
 Rubella (German
Measles)