Whether in the eye the conjunctiva, in the ear the middle ear or in the mouth teeth and gums – everything can become infected. Especially nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs are often affected: Cold or flu, bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia are well-known diseases – whether caused by pneumococci, SARS or Legionnaires’ disease. Tuberculosis is fortunately rare in Germany, but is the most common infectious disease worldwide. The thyroid gland and heart are also not safe from infection: in the heart, the inner or outer skin, the heart valves and even the heart muscle can be affected.
Infectious diseases throughout the body
When it rumbles in the stomach and diarrhea announces itself, there is a whole range of bacteria and viruses that are possible culprits: Salmonella, noroviruses, Helicobacter, Campylobacter are just a few of the multitude of diarrheal pathogens. Hepatitis viruses attack the liver, are called hepatitis A, B, C viruses, etc., and can cause protracted courses of disease.
Bladder infections occur in women and men for different reasons, and infections of the reproductive organs range from easily treatable vaginal mycosis, to syphilis and papilloma viruses, to chlamydia, which often leads to infertility without being detected.
The skin is also affected
On the skin, foot and nail fungus are typical diseases, and herpes, warts and shingles are caused by viruses.
In addition, there are many childhood diseases, all of which are accompanied by skin rash:
- Scarlet fever
- Measles
- Rubella
- Chickenpox
Transmission through bite wounds
Did you know that human bites pose a greater risk of infection than dog or cat bites? Infectious agents can do great damage to the brain and peripheral nerves – whether rabies or TBE virus, meningococcus or tetanus bacilli: The spectrum ranges from meningitis to sleeping sickness, paralysis to death. Some infectious diseases affect multiple organs, such as Lyme disease, HIV and AIDS, Reiter’s disease, or anthrax.
Ticks transmit pathogens of infectious diseases
In Germany, ticks are carriers of two pathogens at once: the Lyme disease bacteria and the TBE viruses. Before spending time in the great outdoors, you should find out whether infected ticks are to be expected there.
Children are at risk
During pregnancy, vaginal infections, rubella and toxoplasmosis are particularly dangerous; they can lead to miscarriage or death of the unborn child. Many childhood diseases such as mumps or whooping cough show flu-like symptoms or a rash like scarlet fever, measles, rubella or chickenpox. The fact that these diseases are called childhood diseases does not mean that adults cannot also become ill – often more severely and with fatal complications.
