Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Infectious disease causes
Introduction
Causes
Causes
Infectious disease are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. These disease can be categorized into 4 main categories:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infecions
- Fungal infections
- Parasitic infections
Gram-Positive Organism Diseases
Gram-Negative Organism Diseases
- Melioidosis and Glanders
Mycobacterial Diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Leprosy (Hansen’s disease)
- Other Mycobacterial Infections
Spirochetal Diseases
- Syphilis
- Non-venereal Treponematosis: Yaws, Pinta, and Endemic Syphilis
- Leptospirosis
- Relapsing Fever
- Lyme disease (Borreliosis)
Viral Diseases
- Common Viral Respiratory Infections
- Rubella (“German Measles“) and Other Viral Exanthems
Infection Caused by Fungi and Higher Bacteria
Rickettsia, Mycoplasma and Chlamydia
Protozoal and Helminthic Infections
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]