Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by germs (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that enter the body, multiply, and can cause an infection.

• Some infectious diseases are contagious (or communicable), meaning they are capable of spreading from one person to another.
• Other infectious diseases can be spread by germs carried in air, water, food, or soil. They can also be spread by vectors (like biting insects) or by animals to humans.

In our community, the most common infectious diseases that our Public Health Nurses see are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and respiratory illnesses like the flu, RSV and COVID-19, communicable diseases which include tuberculosis.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

STD or STI?

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite people can get through sexual contact. Many STIs have no symptoms, so people can have an infection but not know it. A sexually transmitted disease (STD) develops because of an STI and the term implies that the infection has led to some symptom of disease. People sometimes use the terms in one another’s place. The primary goal of public health and healthcare is to prevent and treat infections before they develop into disease. As a result, many – including CDC – are using the term STI more often. However, STD is still used when referring to data or information from sources that use the term. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are very common. Millions of new infections occur every year in the United States.

STDs pass from one person to another through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. They also can spread through intimate physical contact like heavy petting, though this is not very common.

STDs don’t always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. Therefore, it is possible to have an infection and not know it. That is why getting an STD test is important if you are having sex. If you receive a positive STD diagnosis, know that all are treatable with medicine and some are curable entirely.

There are dozens of STDs. Some STDs, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, are spread mainly by sexual contact. Other diseases, including Zika, Ebola, and mpox, can be spread sexually but are more often spread through ways other than sex.

STDs are preventable. If you have sex, know how to protect yourself and your sex partner(s) from STDs.

For more STD/STI information click here: https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory viruses commonly cause illness such as flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in the fall and winter. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and others.

Tuberculosis (TB) Basics

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

For more information on TB click here: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm