Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), caused by bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci). It is a very common STD in the United States, along with genital herpes. Gonorrhea is often seen as a disease that causes recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) and genital discharge, and while these are the common clinical features, other signs, symptoms and complications of gonorrhea infection may develop over time.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which, if untreated, can develop into a chronic condition. It is caused by a microorganism (bacteria) called Treponema pallidum. The widespread availability and use of antibiotics these days has made syphilis less of a concern as it was prior to the discovery of antibiotics.
Continue reading
Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae which affects the skin and peripheral nerves. It has throughout the decades been quite a controversial illness as fears over the contagious nature of leprosy has led to sufferers being quarantined in remote areas and hence the term ‘leper colony’.
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines, both small and large, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases of gastroenteritis are due to infections, mainly by viruses and bacteria, although there are immune related causes of gastroenteritis like eosinophilic gastroenteritis which is not caused by any microorganism. Gastroenteritis is known by many common names including :
- Gastro
- Gastric flu
- Stomach bug
- Tummy flu
- Intestinal flu
Even food poisoning is a type of gastroenteritis that is caused by the toxins of bacteria which is found in food.
Continue reading