Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E, which is known to be a water born disease, was discovered in 1990. Incubation period Usually two to nine weeks. Age group It mainly affects young adults, between 15 to 40 years. Transmission Hepatitis E thrives in hot climes where water or food is contaminated by faeces containing the virus. Symptoms Acute viral… [ Continue Reading ]

Mumps

Another infectious disease like measles or chicken pox, mumps is caused by a virus which attacks mainly the glandular and nervous tissues. Although the morbidity rate tends to be high, mortality rate is negligible. Causative agent Mumps is caused by a virus called Myxovirus parotiditis. Source of infection The disease is spread by direct contact… [ Continue Reading ]

Hepatitis C

The Hepatitis C virus is a fairly new entity for professional practitioners of medicine, since it was identified as recently as 1989. Transmission The virus is mainly transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood or using contaminated equipment such as needles. Most of the Hepatitis C cases are intravenous drug users, who share needles. However, unlike… [ Continue Reading ]

Hepatitis B

Another infectious disease, Hepatitis B, which is caused by a virus, occurs largely among newborns and young children. High risk group People who are more likely to contract the disease are surgeons, recipients of blood transfusions, health care and laboratory personnel, prostitutes, drug abusers, infant of a carrier mother. Source of infection Contaminated blood and… [ Continue Reading ]

Rubella

Rubella or German measles is manifested in a mild, benign form among children. However, if a pregnant woman gets infected, it can cause some serious congenital defects in the child. Causative agent Rubella is caused by an RNA virus. The virus has been recovered from the nasopharynx, throat, blood, CSF and urine. Source of infection… [ Continue Reading ]