Cause Of Infectious Disease

The causes of various infections are of course, those nasty little critters known to science as bacteria, germs, and viruses and also the fungus. It seems that the human bodies are battlegrounds with their immune system having to constantly fight off army after army of potentially lethal infectious diseases. At the less serious end of the scale such as cough and colds, sore throats and fungal infections, such as thrush, that age old remedy garlic has no equal. Garlic is considered as a natural antibiotic and can be highly effective when used on its own or with other medication.

Recently a whole new area involving supposed pro-biotic yogurts has opened up. The idea behind the formation of these yogurts is to enhance the natural defenses of the body. One of these yogurts if can be taken every day, that can do wonders to help fortify the immune system. And there is another supplement that has proved its worth is cod liver oil. This can be taken in the form of handy capsule form and it's not only good for the joints, but can stave off colds and flu as well. From the sniffling seatmate on the bus to the raw chicken on the cutting board, everyday life is full of potential infectious disease hazards. With germs so widespread and seemingly everywhere, the question is this, just how do people protect themselves from germs that cause infectious disease!

People should try to know how germs spread. People need to find out how infectious disease is transmitted, and more importantly, what they can do to minimize their risk of infection. Various infectious diseases generally spread through two types of contact, direct contact and indirect contact. An easy way to get infected with most infectious diseases is by coming in contact with someone who has one. This someone can be an animal o, a person or for an unborn baby, its mother. Three different ways by which infectious disease can be spread through direct contact are, person to person infectivity. The most common way of spreading infectious disease is through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses or other germs from one person to another. This can occur when people with the bacterium or virus touches, coughs on or kisses someone who is not infected. These infectious germs can also spread through the exchange of body fluids from sexual contact or a blood transfusion.

Also the household pet might seem harmless, but pets can carry many germs. Being scratched or bitten by an infected animal can make people sick and, in extreme circumstances, could even cause death. Handling animal waste can be dangerous, too. Such as people can acquire a toxoplasmosis infection by scooping their cat's litter box, particularly if they are pregnant. A pregnant woman may pass infectious germs to her unborn baby through the placenta or germs could spread during labor and delivery.

Disease-causing or infectious organisms can also be passed along by indirect contact. Many germs can linger on a non-living object, such as a tabletop, doorknob or faucet handle. When people touch the same doorknob grasped by someone ill with the flu or a cold, for example, they can pick up the germs he or she left behind. If they then touch their eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands, they may become infected.

• Juliana Breckinridge
• 04/01/2009, 8:59 AM
• 0 Comments