Communicable diseases include a wide variety of illnesses, with some of the most prevalent being HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Here's a breakdown:
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HIV/AIDS: A chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It damages the immune system, making individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections.
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Tuberculosis (TB): An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that typically affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
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Malaria: A life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
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Viral Hepatitis: An inflammation of the liver caused by different viruses, including hepatitis A, B, and C. Each type has different modes of transmission and severity.
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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections spread through sexual contact. Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
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Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): A diverse group of infectious diseases that thrive in impoverished areas. Examples include:
- Dengue
- Chikungunya
- Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
- Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
- Schistosomiasis (bilharzia)
- Soil-transmitted helminth infections (ascariasis, hookworm disease, and trichuriasis)
These diseases disproportionately affect low-income countries and marginalized populations. Addressing them requires a multi-faceted approach including prevention, treatment, and public health infrastructure improvements.
