What is Infectious Disease? 

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and they can be transmitted from one person to another. These diseases can range from mild to severe, and they can affect different parts of the body. In this article, we will discuss the basics of infectious diseases, including their causes, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. 

What Causes Infectious Diseases? 

Infectious diseases can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These microorganisms can enter the body through various routes, such as the respiratory tract, digestive tract, or through a break in the skin. Some of the most common causes of infectious diseases include: 

Bacteria 

Bacterial infections can cause a range of illnesses, from mild to severe. Some common bacterial infections include strep throat, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. 

Viruses 

Viruses are the cause of many common infections, such as the common cold, flu, and chickenpox. They can also cause more severe illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19. 

Fungi 

Fungal infections can affect different parts of the body, such as the skin, nails, and lungs. Some common fungal infections include athlete's foot, ringworm, and candidiasis. 

Parasites 

Parasites can cause a range of illnesses, such as malaria, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis. They can enter the body through contaminated food or water, or through the bite of an infected insect. 

How Do Infectious Diseases Spread? 

Infectious diseases can be spread through various modes of transmission, such as: 

Direct Contact 

Direct contact with an infected person can transmit infectious diseases, such as through sexual contact or by touching a contaminated object. 

Indirect Contact 

Indirect contact occurs when an infectious agent is spread by a vector or a fomite, such as a mosquito or a doorknob. 

Airborne Transmission 

Airborne transmission occurs when infectious agents are spread through the air, such as through coughing or sneezing. 

Waterborne Transmission 

Waterborne transmission occurs when infectious agents are spread through contaminated water, such as drinking or swimming in polluted water. 

Foodborne Transmission 

Foodborne transmission occurs when infectious agents are spread through contaminated food, such as consuming raw or undercooked meat or eggs. 

What are the Symptoms of Infectious Diseases? 

The symptoms of infectious diseases can vary depending on the type of microorganism causing the illness. Some common symptoms include: 

Fever 

Fever is a common symptom of many infectious diseases, and it is often a sign that the body is fighting an infection. 

Fatigue 

Fatigue is another common symptom of infectious diseases, and it can occur as the body tries to fight off the infection. 

Cough 

A cough can be a symptom of respiratory infections, such as the common cold or pneumonia. 

Diarrhea 

Diarrhea can be a symptom of gastrointestinal infections, such as food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis. 

Rash 

A rash can be a symptom of many infectious diseases, such as chickenpox or measles. 

How are Infectious Diseases Diagnosed? 

Infectious diseases can be diagnosed through various methods, such as: 

Laboratory Tests 

Laboratory tests, such as blood tests or cultures, can help identify the microorganism causing the infection. 

Imaging Tests 

Imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, can help identify the location and severity of the infection. 

Physical Examination 

A physical examination can help identify the symptoms and signs of the infection, such as a fever or a rash. 

Top Infectious Disease Physician In Santa Ana, CA 

1. Dr. Steven E. Weinberger, Infectious Disease Physician, Medical Director, UPMC Infectious Disease Division, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

2. Dr. Luis Ostrosky, Infectious Disease Physician, UT Health McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030

3. Dr. Jared M. Baeten, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195

4. Dr. David M. Underhill, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

5. Dr. Thomas F. Patterson, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Alabama Hospital, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233

6. Dr. Steven B. Johnson, Infectious Disease Physician, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905

7. Dr. Stephen B. Calderwood, Infectious Disease Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

8. Dr. Robert B. Nussbaum, Infectious Disease Physician, UCSF Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143

9. Dr. Robin M. Ikeda, Infectious Disease Physician, UCLA Medical Center, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095

10. Dr. David M. Ritchie, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

11. Dr. Walter E. Stamm, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195

12. Dr. Stuart B. Levy, Infectious Disease Physician, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111

13. Dr. Richard D. Remington, Infectious Disease Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

14. Dr. Laurie A. Comstock, Infectious Disease Physician, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143

15. Dr. John H. Rex, Infectious Disease Physician, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106

16. Dr. Clifford V. Harding, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

17. Dr. David A. Relman, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

18. Dr. Robert A. Salata, Infectious Disease Physician, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106

19. Dr. Robert B. Nussbaum, Infectious Disease Physician, UCSF Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143

20. Dr. Jeffrey M. Drazen, Infectious Disease Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115

21. Dr. Richard D. Remington, Infectious Disease Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

22. Dr. Edward T. Ryan, Infectious Disease Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

23. Dr. John M. Leedom, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195

24. Dr. Gary P. Wormser, Infectious Disease Physician, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595

25. Dr. David M. Underhill, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

26. Dr. Stephen B. Calderwood, Infectious Disease Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

27. Dr. Carlos del Rio, Infectious Disease Physician, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322

28. Dr. Gregory A. Poland, Infectious Disease Physician, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905

29. Dr. David H. Persing, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

30. Dr. Michael S. Niederman, Infectious Disease Physician, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

31. Dr. Thomas A. File, Infectious Disease Physician, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304

32. Dr. Kenneth L. Tyler, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 East 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80262

33. Dr. William C. Van Den Akker, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

34. Dr. P. Frederick Sparling, Infectious Disease Physician, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710

35. Dr. David A. Relman, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

36. Dr. Robert L. Atmar, Infectious Disease Physician, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030

37. Dr. James M. Hughes, Infectious Disease Physician, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322

38. Dr. William A. Fischer, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

39. Dr. Stephen C. Piscitelli, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610

40. Dr. Steven E. Weinberger, Infectious Disease Physician, Medical Director, UPMC Infectious Disease Division, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

41. Dr. David H. Persing, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

42. Dr. Jonathan E. Rosenberg, Infectious Disease Physician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

43. Dr. David M. Underhill, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

44. Dr. Michael S. Niederman, Infectious Disease Physician, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

45. Dr. David A. Relman, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

46. Dr. Henry M. Blumberg, Infectious Disease Physician, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322

47. Dr. Robert B. Nussbaum, Infectious Disease Physician, UCSF Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143

48. Dr. Richard D. Remington, Infectious Disease Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

49. Dr. Monica A. Farley, Infectious Disease Physician, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322

50. Dr. John H. Rex, Infectious Disease Physician, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106

51. Dr. Mark A. Rupp, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Dewey Avenue, Omaha, NE 68198

52. Dr. Paul A. Offit, Infectious Disease Physician, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104

53. Dr. William B. Greenough, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

54. Dr. James M. Hughes, Infectious Disease Physician, Emory University School of Medicine, 1462 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322

55. Dr. Richard D. Remington, Infectious Disease Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

56. Dr. Kenneth L. Tyler, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 East 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80262

57. Dr. Michael P. Dohn, Infectious Disease Physician, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905

58. Dr. Stephen B. Calderwood, Infectious Disease Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

59. Dr. David H. Persing, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

60. Dr. Stephen G. Baum, Infectious Disease Physician, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032

61. Dr. Lawrence Corey, Infectious Disease Physician, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

62. Dr. Thomas F. Patterson, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Alabama Hospital, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233

63. Dr. Richard D. Remington, Infectious Disease Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

64. Dr. William J. Schaffner, Infectious Disease Physician, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232

65. Dr. Stuart B. Levy, Infectious Disease Physician, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111

66. Dr. David M. Underhill, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

67. Dr. Thomas A. File, Infectious Disease Physician, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304

68. Dr. David M. Ritchie, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

69. Dr. Michael S. Niederman, Infectious Disease Physician, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

70. Dr. P. Frederick Sparling, Infectious Disease Physician, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710

71. Dr. Clifford V. Harding, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

72. Dr. Michael P. Dohn, Infectious Disease Physician, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905

73. Dr. Robert B. Nussbaum, Infectious Disease Physician, UCSF Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143

74. Dr. Walter E. Stamm, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195

75. Dr. John M. Leedom, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195

76. Dr. Stephen B. Calderwood, Infectious Disease Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

77. Dr. Robert A. Salata, Infectious Disease Physician, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106

78. Dr. Richard D. Remington, Infectious Disease Physician, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

79. Dr. Jeffrey M. Drazen, Infectious Disease Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115

80. Dr. Edward T. Ryan, Infectious Disease Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

81. Dr. David M. Underhill, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

82. Dr. Jonathan E. Rosenberg, Infectious Disease Physician, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

83. Dr. Stephen C. Piscitelli, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610

84. Dr. Steven B. Johnson, Infectious Disease Physician, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905

85. Dr. Kenneth L. Tyler, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 East 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80262

86. Dr. Thomas F. Patterson, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Alabama Hospital, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233

87. Dr. David H. Persing, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

88. Dr. David A. Relman, Infectious Disease Physician, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305

89. Dr. Robert L. Atmar, Infectious Disease Physician, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030

90. Dr. Michael S. Niederman, Infectious Disease Physician, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

91. Dr. Jared M. Baeten, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195

92. Dr. William C. Van Den Akker, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

93. Dr. John H. Rex, Infectious Disease Physician, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106

94. Dr. Cliff S. Mitchell, Infectious Disease Physician, University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

95. Dr. Luis Ostrosky, Infectious Disease Physician, UT Health McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030

96. Dr. William J. Schaffner, Infectious Disease Physician, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232

97. Dr. Stephen G. Baum, Infectious Disease Physician, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032

98. Dr. Robin M. Ikeda, Infectious Disease Physician, UCLA Medical Center, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095

99. Dr. Steven E. Weinberger, Infectious Disease Physician, Medical Director, UPMC Infectious Disease Division, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

100. Dr. P. Frederick Sparling, Infectious Disease Physician, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710