General Information

• Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.
• Many organisms live in and on our bodies and are normally harmless or even helpful.
• Under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.

It's important to know infectious diseases can spread differently depending on the specific disease.  In general disease can be spread in the following ways:

• passed from person to person.
• transmitted by insects or other animals.
• consumption of contaminated food or water
• exposure to organisms in the environment.

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the organism causing the infection, but often include fever and fatigue. Mild infections may respond to rest and home remedies, while some life-threatening infections may need hospitalization.

The actions below will help in the prevention and mitigation of infectious diseases:

• Reduce mosquito breeding grounds around your homes. See our Fight the Bite campaign.
• Wash your hands. This is especially important before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet. And try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, as that's common way germs enter the body.
• Vaccinate. Many infectious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, can be prevented by vaccines and can drastically reduce your chances of contracting the disease, or becoming seriously ill from disease. Make sure you and your children are current on your recommended vaccinations.
• Stay home when ill. Don't go to work if you are vomiting, have diarrhea or have a fever. Don't send your child to school if he or she has these signs, either.
• Prepare and handle food safely. Keep counters and other kitchen surfaces clean when preparing meals. Cook food to the proper temperature, using a food thermometer to check for doneness. For ground meats, that means at least 160 F (71 C); for poultry, 165 F (74 C); and for most other meats, at least 145 F (63 C).  Promptly refrigerate leftovers — don't let cooked foods remain at room temperature for long periods of time.
• Practice safe sex. Always use condoms if you or your partner have a history of sexually transmitted infections or high-risk behavior.
• Don't share personal items. Use your own toothbrush, comb, and razor. Avoid sharing drinking glasses or dining utensils.
• Travel wisely. If you're traveling out of the country, check to see if any special vaccinations such as yellow fever, dengue, hepatitis A or B, or typhoid fever are needed.