What are Communicable Diseases?

Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Communicable Diseases

A communicable disease is something that spreads between persons or animals. It can spread from a person to a person, from an animal to a person and from a surface to a person. Caused by germs like viruses and bacteria, people can catch communicable diseases through insect bites, contaminated surfaces, polluted water and food, air and bodily fluids.

Types of Communicable Diseases

Also known as infectious disease or transmissible disease, communicable diseases can be classified into four main types based on the pathogens that cause the infection. These are:

Viruses: Viruses are germs with genetic material. Their no-cell structure makes them different from other microbes.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled organisms. They can exist anywhere in the atmosphere, including inside the human body.
Fungi: Organisms like moulds, mushrooms, yeasts, etc, are fungi. While there are millions of types of fungi in the world, only a few of them can harm the body.
Protozoa: Protozoa are tiny living things that usually have a single cell. Some protozoa are parasites, meaning they live on or inside another organism and take nutrients from it. These parasitic protozoa can cause various diseases.

Causes of Communicable Diseases

When a person gets infected by a pathogen, they develop a contagious disease. This can happen due to:

Touching someone who has the pathogen
Coming into contact with infected bodily fluids
Breathing in droplets from someone else’s cough or sneeze
Being bitten by an animal or insect that carries the pathogen
Eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated

Symptoms of Communicable Disease

When it comes to infectious diseases, the symptoms you experience really depend on the specific type of illness. For instance, fungal infections often lead to localized issues such as itching and rashes. On the other hand, viral and bacterial infections can also result in symptoms that affect your entire body, including:

Fever
Chills
Coughing
Fatigue
Muscle aches and headaches
Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting

If you experience either of the symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.

Diagnosis of Communicable Disease

Communicable diseases are usually diagnosed with lab tests. They can check for signs of illness by:

Collecting samples from your nose or throat.
Taking samples of blood, urine, stool, or saliva.
Doing a biopsy or taking a small piece of skin or other tissue.
Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs of the affected areas are used.

Treatment of Communicable Diseases

The treatment for a communicable disease depends on its cause. In some cases, doctors may suggest monitoring symptoms rather than immediate treatment, as mild infections often resolve on their own. However, bacterial infections may require antibiotics, while antiviral drugs or supportive care are used for viral illnesses based on severity.

If you have a bacterial infection, antibiotics can help. The right antibiotic will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.

For most viral infections, over-the-counter medicine can help relieve symptoms until you feel better. Some viral infections have specific treatments, like antiretroviral therapy for HIV.

While fungal infections can be treated with antifungal medicine, parasites can be destroyed with antiparasitic medicine.

Difference between Communicable Diseases and Noncommunicable Diseases

Communicable diseases come from harmful organisms that enter your body from outside, like viruses and bacteria. Noncommunicable diseases do not come from those organisms; instead, they are caused by your genes, body structure, ageing, and your surroundings. You cannot catch non-infectious diseases from other people, insect bites, or contaminated food.

Some examples of infectious diseases are the flu, measles, HIV, COVID-19, and salmonella. Examples of noninfectious diseases include cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ways to Prevent Communicable Disease

You can lower your chances of getting or spreading germs by doing the following:

Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Disinfect surfaces in your home regularly, especially doorknobs and places where you prepare food.
Clean your personal items, like your phone.
Cook meats, eggs, and other foods all the way through.
Practice good hygiene while preparing and handling food.
Do not eat spoiled food.
Avoid touching wild animals.
Vaccinate yourself, your family, and your pets.

Some communicable diseases have mild symptoms that often improve without the need for intensive treatment. Other communicable diseases need proper medical care to prevent them from getting worse. You can comply with the above-mentioned steps to lower your risk of catching these germs.