Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as parasites, viruses, bacteria or fungi and are transmitted from one person to another directly or indirectly.
Below is an overview of some of the most common infectious diseases affecting people across Africa and globally according to our research at My Health Africa.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Treatable by a Doctor
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-COV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-COV). Novel Coronavirus (nCOV) is a new strain of the virus which causes respiratory symptoms including coughing, fever and shortness of breath.
Malaria
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Treatable by a Doctor
Malaria claims the lives of over 100,000 people annually in Africa. It is a parasite caused infection that is transmitted through infected mosquitoes from one person to another. Some of its symptoms include headaches, fever, vomiting, and if untreated it can lead to other more severe symptoms like anaemia and kidney failure.
HIV/AIDs
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Manageable by Medication, not curable
More than 25 million people in Africa were living with HIV/AIDs in 2016. HIV/AIDs is an infectious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks and weakens the immune system of an infected person. It is mostly transmitted through sex; however, it can be transmitted through coming into contact with the blood of an infected person by sharing needles and other sharp objects.
Hepatitis
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Can be Treated by a Doctor
1.34 million people died in 2015, globally, due to hepatitis, while 325 million people in that year, were living with the virus. Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Apart from being caused by hepatitis viruses, it can also be caused by toxins, some medications, and excessive alcohol intake. Some of the symptoms a person with hepatitis can experience include pale stool, dark urine and loss of appetite.
Cholera
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Treatable by a Doctor
Over 1 million cases of cholera occur worldwide each year. Cholera is a bacteria-caused infection that leads to severe watery diarrhoea and if not treated can lead to death. Some of the other symptoms of cholera, apart from diarrhoea, include vomiting, pain in the muscles, feeling thirsty and rapid heart rate.
Dengue Fever
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Manageable by Medication, Not Curable
Over 200 million cases of dengue fever are reported yearly. Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito from an infected to an uninfected person. Some of the symptoms caused by this disease include vomiting, fatigue, fever and severe joint pains.
Gonorrhoea
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Treatable by a Doctor
More than 78 million cases of gonorrhoea are reported worldwide, each year. This is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), caused by bacteria. The symptoms for gonorrhoea vary in men and women. Some of these symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge in women and abnormal discharge from the penis in men, and pain during urination in both men and women.
Yellow Fever
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Manageable by Medication, Not Curable
Yellow fever causes over 20,000 deaths worldwide, each year. It is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. It takes about 3-6 days for its symptoms to start showing. Some of the symptoms caused by yellow fever include jaundice, nausea, headache and vomiting. The symptoms become more serious in its acute phase and the infected person can begin to experience seizures, have traces of blood in the stool, and vomit.
Bilharzia
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Treatable by a Doctor
In 2016 alone, over 200 million people required treatment for bilharzia. It is a parasite-caused disease also known as Schistosomiasis. It is transmitted through contact with contaminated water or by drinking water that is contaminated. Some symptoms caused by this disease include fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fatigue.
Ebola
Seek Emergency Medical Attention Immediately
Manageable by Medication, Not Curable
During the latest Ebola outbreak in 2014-2015, over 11,000 people lost their lives in Africa. Ebola is a viral disease transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, and through sexual contact with an infected person, or even by sharing things like bedsheets and clothes that contain bodily fluids of an infected person. It brings about symptoms like fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. If untreated, it causes death.
Sleeping Sickness
Please See a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Treatable by a Doctor
65 million people are at risk of getting sleeping sickness each year, globally. Sleeping sickness, also known as Trypanosomiasis is a parasitic-caused infection that is transmitted by tsetse flies. The symptoms caused by this disease in the first stage include fever, headaches and swelling of the skin, among others. In the second stage, a person infected with trypanosomiasis can experience confusion, poor coordination and changes in behaviour.
