What is Infectious Disease?
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can spread directly from person to person, through contaminated food or water, insect bites, or contact with infected surfaces.
Common types of infectious diseases include:
🦠 Viral Infections: Examples include the flu, COVID-19, and measles.
🧫 Bacterial Infections: Examples include strep throat, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infections.
🍄 Fungal Infections: Examples include athlete’s foot and yeast infections.
🦟 Parasitic Infections: Examples include malaria and giardia.
How Infectious Diseases Spread:
🤝 Person-to-Person Contact: Through coughing, sneezing, or touching.
🍽️ Food and Water: Contaminated food or water can carry harmful organisms.
🐜 Insects and Animals: Mosquitoes, ticks, and other animals can transmit diseases.
🚪 Surfaces: Germs can linger on frequently touched objects like doorknobs and phones.
Prevention Strategies:
💉 Vaccination – Immunizations protect against many infectious diseases.
🧼 Hygiene – Regular handwashing helps stop the spread of germs.
😷 Protective Measures – Wearing masks and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
🚶 Avoiding Contact – Staying home when sick helps prevent spreading illness to others.
Understanding infectious diseases helps protect yourself and your community from outbreaks and illness.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESOURCES
CDC 2025 Infectious Disease Information (website)
MASS Gov: Infectious disease data reports and requests (website)
Infectious disease surveillance data collected by the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS) are maintained in the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN). MAVEN contains epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and case management data utilized for case investigation and surveillance purposes on approximately 90 reportable infectious diseases.