From mild colds to deadly infectious diseases, infectious diseases have become an important challenge in the field of global public health because of their changeable forms and wide spread. The basic knowledge, mode of transmission, hazards, prevention strategies and current challenges of infectious diseases are discussed in depth and shallowly, so as to enhance the public’s awareness of infectious diseases and self-protection ability.
1. Basic knowledge of infectious diseases: Definition and classification: Infectious diseases, as the name implies, are diseases caused by various pathogenic microorganisms (such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc.) invading the human body and reproducing in the body, causing tissue damage and dysfunction. According to the different pathogens, infectious diseases can be divided into viral infections (such as influenza, AIDS), bacterial infections (such as pneumonia, tuberculosis), fungal infections (such as candidiasis) and parasitic diseases (such as Malaria). Morbidity mechanism: When pathogenic microorganisms enter the human body through different ways (such as respiratory tract, digestive tract, skin wound, etc.), the first line of defense of the human body should be overcome-the barrier effect of skin and mucosa. Once they break through, they may use the host’s nutrients to reproduce, release toxins or activate the host’s immune response, leading to inflammation, fever, pain and other symptoms.
2. Modes of transmission of infectious diseases: There are various modes of transmission of infectious diseases. It mainly includes direct contact transmission (such as touching the body fluids or secretion of infected persons), indirect contact transmission (such as transmission through contaminated articles), air droplet transmission (such as influenza virus), fecal-oral transmission (such as intestinal infection) and insect-borne transmission (such as Malaria transmission through mosquitoes). Understanding these transmission pathways is critical to the development of effective preventive measure.
3. Harm of infectious diseases: The harm of infectious diseases to individuals and society should not be underestimated. Mild cases may cause temporary discomfort and loss of productivity, while severe cases may lead to long-term disability or even death. In addition, the outbreak and prevalence of infectious diseases will also cause tremendous pressure on the medical system, consume a lot of medical resources, and affect the normal diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. On a global scale, some infectious diseases (such as AIDS, tuberculosis) have become a major public health problem restricting social development.
4. Strategies to prevent infectious diseases: Personal hygiene and habits: Maintaining good personal hygiene habits is the first line of defense to prevent infectious diseases. Measures such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks correctly, avoiding touching mouth, nose and eyes with hands, and keeping social distance can effectively reduce the risk of infection. Vaccination: Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent specific infectious diseases. Through vaccination, the human body can develop immunity against specific pathogens, thus reducing morbidity or alleviating illness upon exposure. Environmental sanitation and disinfection: Keep the living and working environment clean, and regularly disinfect the surface of high-frequency contact articles, which can effectively cut off the transmission route of pathogens. Health education and publicity: It is the key to construct the provention and control system of the whole society to improve the public’s understanding of infectious diseases, popularize the knowledge of prevention and enhance the awareness of self-protection.
In a word, infectious diseases are a complex and changeable field, which requires the joint efforts of the whole society to deal with. By popularizing knowledge, strengthening prevention and improving medical standards, we can more effectively protect ourselves and others from the threat of infectious diseases and jointly build a healthier and safer environment.
