Autumn: what are the most common diseases during this season?

Autumn has already begun, and with it comes the drop in temperatures and the increase in certain seasonal diseases.

According to specialists, the fall and winter are the seasons for respiratory viruses and infectious diseases in general. Next, we detail what infectious diseases are and what to deal with them:

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms, such as Many organisms live inside and outside our bodies. They are usually harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms can cause disease.

Some infectious diseases can be spread from person to person. Some are transmitted by insects or other animals. And you can spread it to other people by consuming contaminated food or water or being exposed to organisms in the environment.

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the organism causing the infection, but often include fever and fatigue. Mild infections may respond to rest and home remedies, while some life-threatening infections may require hospitalization.

Many infectious diseases, such as measles and chicken pox, Frequent and thorough hand washing also help protect you from most infectious diseases.

Symptoms

Each infectious disease has its specific signs and symptoms. General signs and symptoms that are common in many infectious diseases include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Muscle pains
• Cough

When to consult the doctor?

Seek medical attention if:

• You have been bitten by an animal
• you have trouble breathing
• You have been coughing for more than a week
• You have a severe headache with a fever
• You have a rash or swelling
• You have an unexplained or prolonged fever
• You have sudden vision problems

Causes

These may be the causes of infectious diseases:

• bacteria. These single-celled organisms are responsible for diseases such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and tuberculosis.
• Virus. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of illnesses ranging commonly all the way to HIV.
• Mushrooms. Fungi cause many skin diseases, such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. Other types of fungi can infect the lungs or the nervous system.
• parasites A small parasite that is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito causes malaria. Other parasites can be transmitted to humans through animal feces.

Direct contact

An easy way to contract most infectious diseases is to come into contact with an infected person or animal. Infectious diseases can be transmitted through direct contact, for example:

• From one person to another. Infectious diseases are normally spread through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses, or other germs from one person to another. This can happen when a person with the bacteria or virus touches or kisses someone who is not infected, or coughs or sneezes very close to them.
  These germs can also be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids through sexual contact. The person who spreads the germ may not have symptoms of the disease, but may simply be a carrier.
• From animal to person. If you are bitten or scratched by an infected animal (even a pet), it can make you sick and, in extreme circumstances, can be fatal. Handling animal waste can also be dangerous. For example, you can become infected with toxoplasmosis by picking up your cat’s litter box.
• From mother to fetus. A pregnant woman can pass germs that cause infectious diseases to her fetus. Some germs can pass through the placenta or through breast milk. Germs from the vagina can also be passed to the baby during childbirth.

indirect contact

Disease-causing organisms can also be transmitted by indirect contact. Many germs remain on inanimate objects, such as countertops, doorknobs, or faucet handles.

By touching a doorknob touched by someone who, for example, had the flu or a cold, you can take the germs that person left behind with you. If you touch your eyes, mouth, or nose before washing your hands, you may get an infection.

Insect bites

Some germs rely on insect carriers, such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice, or ticks, to move from one host to another. These carriers are known as vectors. Mosquitoes can carry the malaria parasite or West Nile virus. Deer ticks can carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

food contamination

Disease-causing germs can also infect you through contaminated food and water. This transmission mechanism allows germs to spread to many people through a single source. Escherichia coli (E. coli), for example, is a bacteria found in or on certain foods, such as undercooked hamburgers or unpasteurized fruit juices.

complications

Most infectious diseases have only minor complications. But some infections, such as Some types of infections, have been linked to a long-term increased risk of cancer:

• Human papillomavirus is linked to cervical cancer
• Helicobacter pylori is linked to stomach cancer and peptic ulcers
• Hepatitis B and C have been linked to liver cancer.

Furthermore, it is possible that some infectious diseases may be silenced and reappear in the future, sometimes even decades later. For example, someone who has had chicken pox may develop shingles much later in life.

Prevention

Follow these tips to lower your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands. This is especially important before and after preparing food, before eating, and after going to the bathroom. And try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, as that’s a common way for germs to enter the body.
• Get vaccinated. Vaccination can drastically reduce your chances of contracting many diseases. Make sure you’re up to date on your recommended immunizations, as well as your children’s.
• stay home when you are sick and don’t go to work if you have vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever. Also don’t send your child to school if he or she has these signs.
• Prepare food safely. Keep counters and other kitchen surfaces clean when preparing meals. Cook foods to the proper temperature, and use a food thermometer to check for doneness. For ground meats, this means at least 160ºF (71ºC); for poultry, 165ºF (74ºC); and for most other meats, at least 145ºF (63ºC).
  Also quickly put leftovers in the fridge; don’t let cooked food sit at room temperature for long periods of time.
• Have safe sex. Always use condoms if you or your partner have a history of sexually transmitted infections or high-risk behavior.
• Don’t share personal items. Use your own toothbrush, comb, and razor. Avoid sharing glasses or eating utensils.
• Travel with caution. If you’re traveling abroad, talk to your doctor about any special vaccinations, such as yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis A or B, or typhoid, that you may need.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may order lab tests or imaging tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Laboratory analysis

Many infectious diseases have similar signs and symptoms. Body fluid samples can sometimes reveal evidence of the particular microbe that is causing the illness. This helps the doctor tailor the treatment.

• Blood test. A technician obtains a blood sample by inserting a needle into a vein, usually in your arm.
• Urine analysis. For this painless test, you need to urinate into a container. To avoid possible sample contamination, you may be instructed to clean the genital area with an antiseptic pad and collect the urine midstream.
• Pharyngeal exudate. Samples may be obtained from the throat or other moist areas of the body with a sterile swab.
• Stool sample. You may be instructed to take a stool sample so that a laboratory can test the sample for parasites and other organisms.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). This procedure obtains a sample of cerebrospinal fluid through a needle that is carefully inserted between the bones in the lower part of the spine. In general, you will be asked to lie on your side, with your knees close to your chest.

Diagnostic imaging

Imaging procedures such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can help identify diagnoses and rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms.

biopsies

In a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is taken from an internal organ for examination. For example, a biopsy of lung tissue can be examined for various fungi that can cause a type of pneumonia.

Treatment

Your doctor will be able to choose the right treatment if you know what kind of germ is causing your illness.

antibiotics

Antibiotics are grouped into “families” of similar types. Bacteria are also grouped into groups of similar types, such as streptococcus or E. coli.

Certain types of bacteria are especially susceptible to particular classes of antibiotics. Treatment can be more precise if your doctor knows what kind of bacteria you’re infected with.

, as these types of drugs have no effect on diseases caused by viruses. But sometimes it’s hard to tell what kind of germ is acting up. For example, pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, a virus, a fungus, or a parasite.

The overuse of antibiotics has resulted in various types of bacteria developing resistance to one or more varieties of antibiotics. This makes these bacteria much more difficult to treat.

antivirals

Medications have been developed to treat some viruses, but not all. Examples include viruses that cause:

• HIV AIDS
• Herpes
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Influenza

antifungals

Topical antifungal medications can be used to treat skin or nail infections caused by fungus. Some fungal infections, such as those that affect the lungs or mucous membranes, can be treated with an oral antifungal. More serious fungal infections of internal organs, especially in people with weakened immune systems, may require intravenous antifungal medications.

antiparasitic

Some diseases, including malaria, are caused by small parasites. Although there are medications to treat these diseases, some varieties of parasites have developed drug resistance.

Alternative medicine

Various products have claimed to help prevent common illnesses, such as colds and flu. Although some of these substances appear promising in early trials, follow-up studies may have had conflicting or inconclusive results. More research is needed.

Some of the substances that have been studied to prevent or shorten the duration of infection include the following:

• lingonberries
• echinacea
• Garlic
• Ginseng
• Goldenseal
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Zinc

or ward off colds and other illnesses. Some of these products may cause allergic reactions or adversely interact with other medications you may be taking.