List of infectious diseases

List of Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful, but under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. This article provides a comprehensive list of infectious diseases, categorized by the type of pathogen that causes them.

Bacterial Infections[edit]

Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, which are single-celled microorganisms. They can be treated with antibiotics, although resistance is becoming a significant issue.

Tuberculosis
Streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep throat)
Bacterial meningitis
Cholera
Lyme disease
Pertussis (Whooping cough)

Viral Infections[edit]

Viral infections are caused by viruses, which are smaller than bacteria and require living hosts to multiply.

Fungal Infections[edit]

Fungal infections are caused by fungi, which are more complex than bacteria and viruses.

Parasitic Infections[edit]

Parasitic infections are caused by parasites, which are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host.

Prion Diseases[edit]

Prion diseases are a group of rare, fatal brain diseases that affect humans and animals. They are caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (Mad cow disease)

Also see[edit]