Infectious Diseases

Types of infectious diseases

can be classified on the basis of the causative pathogen. The main types are enlisted and described below.
1. Viral infections- this infectious disease occurs due to viruses. Researchers have found around 5,000 types of viruses to date. In this type of infectious disease, viruses attach themselves to a cell by inviting a host's body and releasing the genetic material. The virus in the body multiplies when the released material forces the cell to replicate the virus. Viruses are the primary cause of viral infections like the common cold, influenza, and so on. The virus can enter a host's body and attaches itself to the cell where its genetic material activates, and it begins to replicate itself. The cell replicates, and the virus grows. The infection of cells then releases more viruses that can go on to infect new cells. Few viruses alter cell structure rather than destroy the cells. For example, human papillomavirus, the Epstein Barr virus, causes uncontrollable cell replication leading to cancer. Other Examples- polio, dengue, fever, HIV Zika virus, Ebola virus, Coronavirus swine flu etc
2. Bacterial infections- Single-celled organisms are known as bacteria. These are also called prokaryotes. Researchers have found that there are almost 1 nonillion bacteria on earth. Bacteria have main shapes- spherical, rod-shaped and spiral. Examples of bacterial infections are- typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery diphtheria etcetera. Bacteria can live in extreme environments from extreme heat to extreme cold, and even radioactive waste in any environment. Innumerable bacterial strains are present on Earth, some of which cause disease. Bad bacteria cause infection, and good bacteria kill bad bacteria and avoid disease. Some of the bacterial diseases that are infectious are cholera, tuberculosis, diphtheria, typhoid. These diseases are usually treated with the help of antibiotics.
3. Fungal infections- A fungus breaks down (using an enzyme) and consumes organic material. Fungi grow and cause infections when good bacteria are destroyed. In the upper layers of the skin, many fungal infections appear, although some penetrate into the deeper layers. When inhaled, fungal spores can cause fungal infections involving the internal layers of the body. Fungus is a multicellular parasite that uses an enzyme to observe organic matter. Fungal infection generally develops on the upper layers of the skin. Examples of fungal infections are- Candidiasis, ringworm, histoplasmosis, athlete's foot etc.