Health and Sickness - Infectious Diseases

Here you will learn some English words related to infectious diseases such as "pneumonia", "chickenpox", and "leprosy".

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Health and Sickness

a tropical viral disease, characterized by fever, muscle pain, etc. which consequently leads to jaundice and potential death, transmitted by infected mosquitoes

tetanus [noun]

a severe infectious disease marked by painful muscle contractions, particularly that of the jaw, as a result of bacteria invading the body through cuts or wounds

a potentially fatal disease passed between humans that is caused by an influenza strain similar to swine flu in pigs

smallpox [noun]

an acute infectious disease characterized by fever and skin eruption, usually leaving permanent scars

scrapie [noun]

an infectious and often fatal disease that mainly affects the nervous system of sheep

SARS [noun]

a viral illness that primarily affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties, and it can lead to severe illness and even death

severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a variation of coronavirus that was first reported back in 2019

the infection and inflammation of air sacs in one's lungs, usually caused by a bacterial infection that makes breathing difficult

Ex: Pneumonia can be caused by various pathogens , including bacteria , viruses , and fungi , and typically presents with symptoms such as cough , fever , and chest pain .
plague [noun]

a dangerous disease spread by rats that causes fever and swellings, often kills if infected

Ex: Without prompt treatment with antibiotics , the plague can be fatal , leading to septicemia ( blood infection ) and organ failure .

a contagious respiratory disease often characterized by violent coughs and breathing difficulties

a serious infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the thin protective tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord, causing intense headaches and high temperature

measles [noun]

a contagious disease that causes high fever and small red spots on the body, common in children

Ex: Measles can spread through coughing and sneezing , as well as direct contact with infected droplets .
croup [noun]

a common respiratory infection in children that causes swelling around the vocal cords

Covid-19 [noun]

an infectious disease caused by a type of virus called coronavirus that causes fever, tiredness, a cough, etc., and in some cases can kill, originated in China and later became a pandemic

Ex: Preventive measures such as wearing masks , practicing social distancing , and washing hands frequently are crucial in reducing the spread of COVID-19 .

a viral infection causing symptoms like a runny nose, cough, and sore throat

Ex: She missed school because of a common cold .
cholera [noun]

a potentially fatal illness that is acquired from consumption of water or food contaminated with particular bacteria, causing diarrhea and vomiting

Ex: She contracted cholera during her travels and had to be hospitalized immediately .

a contagious disease that causes a mild fever and an itchy rash with blisters, primarily affects children

a medical condition wherein people continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms for weeks or months after they begin to recover

leprosy [noun]

a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae that can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose

rubella [noun]

a contagious viral illness, often occurring in children, that causes a red rash on the body as well as symptoms like fever, sore throat, and eye redness

an intestinal infection‌ that often causes watery diarrhea, inflammation, nausea, vomiting, or fever

a bacterial infection causing symptoms similar to typhoid fever, transmitted through contaminated food or water, and treated with antibiotics

Ex: Paratyphoid fever is less common than typhoid fever but can occur in regions with inadequate sanitation .
ebola [noun]

a potentially fatal disease that causes problems with how one's blood clots

mumps [noun]

an infectious viral disease characterized by fever and the painful swelling of the neck

a chronic infection caused by a gram-positive bacterium and characterized by the formation of a false membrane in the air passages, particularly those of the throat

an infectious disease caused by a type of virus that attacks the nose, lungs, and throat

Ex:

a type of influenza virus that rapidly spreads among birds and in rare cases, it can affect humans as well

an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea

Ex: Symptoms of giardiasis may include watery diarrhea , bloating , and weight loss .

a viral infection primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, leading to symptoms like extreme fatigue, sore throat, and swollen glands

Ex:
malaria [noun]

a potentially fatal disease normally transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito

Ex: Symptoms of malaria include high fever , chills , and flu-like illness .

a rare, potentially life-threatening condition caused by bacterial toxins, often associated with tampon use in menstruating individuals

Ex: Education on proper tampon use and hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome .
typhoid [noun]

a serious and potentially life-threatening disease marked by high fever, diarrhea, and red spots that appear on the chest and abdomen

a potentially severe bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs and causes swellings to appear on them or other parts of the body

a highly contagious and often fatal bacterial infection characterized by painful swollen lymph nodes, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and transmitted through the bite of infected fleas

Ex: Public health measures play a role in preventing the spread of bubonic plague .

a common herpesvirus that may cause mild to severe illness, particularly in individuals with weakened immune system, and is transmitted through bodily fluids

Ex:

a common herpesvirus associated with infectious mononucleosis and can cause various illnesses, transmitted through saliva

Ex:

a severe form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella, often contracted through inhaling contaminated water droplets

Ex:

a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil, causing flu-like symptoms and potentially severe complications

Ex: Public health efforts focus on rodent control , surveillance , and educating individuals about the risks associated with leptospirosis .

a childhood illness with a red rash, sore throat, and fever caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria

Ex: Good hygiene practices , such as regular handwashing , help prevent the spread of scarlet fever .
scrofula [noun]

a swelling of the lymph nodes, often in the neck, caused by tuberculosis or other bacterial infections

Ex: Tuberculosis is a common cause of scrofula , but other chronic infections can also result in similar lymph node enlargements .
typhus [noun]

a potentially fatal disease characterized by high temperature and appearance of purple marks on the body

a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria, transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals

Ex:
yaws [noun]

a tropical bacterial infection that causes chronic skin lesions and bone deformities, primarily affecting children in impoverished regions

Ex: If left untreated , yaws can progress to more severe stages , involving bone and joint deformities .
anthrax [noun]

a serious bacterial disease of warm-blooded animals, particularly cattle and sheep, that can be transmitted to people by contaminated wool, raw meat, or other animal products

a parasitic disease that mainly affects unborn children and is mostly transmitted through undercooked meat, soil, or cat feces

a mosquito-borne viral infection causing flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, potentially leading to hemorrhagic fever or shock

Ex: Travelers to regions with a high risk of dengue fever should be careful of mosquito bites .

a tick-borne infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, characterized by fever, rash, and, if untreated, potential complications involving multiple organ systems

Ex: Prompt treatment with antibiotics is essential to prevent severe outcomes in Rocky Mountain spotted fever .

a mosquito-borne virus that can cause mild to severe illness, with symptoms ranging from fever and body aches to neurological complications

Ex: Diagnosis involves blood tests to detect the presence of West Nile virus antibodies .