Here are 10 common communicable diseases explained simply:
1. COVID-19:
- Cause: A virus called SARS-CoV-2.
- Symptoms: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
2. Influenza (Flu):
- Cause: Influenza viruses.
- Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea (more in kids).
3. Common Cold:
- Cause: Usually by rhinoviruses.
- Symptoms: Runny or stuffy nose, congestion, sneezing, sore throat, cough, mild headache, and low-grade fever.
4. HIV/AIDS:
- Cause: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Symptoms: Early on: fever, headache, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes. Later: weight loss, diarrhea, infections.
5. Tuberculosis (TB):
- Cause: Bacteria that usually affect the lungs.
- Symptoms: Long-lasting cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss, tiredness, night sweats, and fever.
6. Chickenpox:
- Cause: Varicella-zoster virus.
- Symptoms: Itchy, blistering rash, fever, loss of appetite, and tiredness.
7. Measles:
- Cause: Measles virus.
- Symptoms: Fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, red rash starting at the hairline, white spots inside the mouth.
8. Mumps:
- Cause: Mumps virus.
- Symptoms: Swelling of salivary glands (behind the jaw), fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
9. Rubella (German Measles):
- Cause: Rubella virus.
- Symptoms: Mild fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes. Dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause birth defects in babies.
10. Hepatitis A:
- Cause: Hepatitis A virus (HAV).
- Symptoms: Tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, pale stools, and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
These diseases spread from person to person and can make people sick with the symptoms listed.
