Infectious Diseases

Rubella

Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus. Rubella is generally a mild illness that does not result in long-term problems. The rubella virus is most often spread through droplets of fluid from the mucous membranes that contain the virus. An infected person can spread these droplets by coughing, sneezing, talking, or sharing food and drinks. One can become infected by touching a surface contaminated with the droplets and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth before washing the hands.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the infection or inflammation of the sinuses. Health experts estimate 37 million Americans are affected by sinusitis every year. Healthcare providers report nearly 32 million cases of chronic sinusitis to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention annually. Americans spend $5.8 billion each year on healthcare costs related to sinusitis.

Shingles

Shingles (herpes zoster) is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the varicella-zoster virus. It occurs in 1.2 to 3.4 per 1,000 individuals each year.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing bacteria that thrives in areas of the body that are rich in blood and oxygen, such as the lungs, but can spread to other parts of the body. TB in the lungs is easily spread to other people through coughing or laughing. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, in 2006 9.2 million new cases of TB emerged.

Typhoid

An acute illness with fever caused by infection with the Salmonella typhi bacteria, typhoid fever is contracted from contaminated water and food. The disease has an insidious onset characterized by fever, headache, constipation, malaise, chills and muscle pain. Confusion, delirium, intestinal perforation and death may occur in severe cases. In the United States about 400 cases occur each year, and 75 percent of these are acquired while traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million persons each year.