Category: Infectious Diseases

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. These are the structures that urine passes through before being eliminated from the body. The kidneys are a pair of small organs that lie on either side of the spine at about waist level. They have several important functions in the body, including removing waste and excess water from the blood and eliminating them as urine. These functions make them important in the regulation of blood pressure. Kidneys are also very sensitive to changes in…

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Mumps is a non-lethal viral infection that affects the parotid salivary glands. It is caused by the mumps virus. It is commonly characterized by painful swelling of one or both parotid salivary glands. Mumps is common and affects both adults and children, with symptoms more severe in adults than children. Initial signs and symptoms often include low-grade fever, muscle pain, headache, poor appetite, and malaise. Mumps is very contagious and spread in saliva and other respiratory droplets and contact with an infected person. The degree at which the contagion can…

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Pertussis, also known as whooping cough or 100-day cough, is a severe and highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis that lives in the mouth, nose, and throat. It is named “100-day cough” because the coughing lasts for about ten (10) weeks or more. It is known to mostly affect infants and young people. The name “whooping” comes from the characteristic sound produced by the voice box (larynx) when affected individuals try to inhale. This disease could be transmitted from adults which may include parent with less…

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Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially dangerous and fatal infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air. When a person with TB in their lungs or throat coughs, laughs, sneezes, sings, or even talks, the germs that cause TB may spread through the air. If another person breathes in these germs there is a chance that they will become infected with tuberculosis. It is important to understand that there is a difference between…

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)   is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defence against illness. The virus destroys a type of white blood cell in the immune system called T-helper cell, and makes copies of itself inside these cells. T-helper cells are also referred to as CD4 cells. The Virus destroys more CD4 cells and makes more copies of itself, and gradually breaks down a person’s immune system. Someone living with HIV, who is not receiving treatment, will have difficulty fighting off infections and diseases. If HIV is…

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