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Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases are illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and other microbes. They may be spread by direct contact with an infected person or animal, by ingesting contaminated food or water, by insects like mosquitoes or ticks, or by contact with contaminated surroundings like animal droppings or even contaminated air. Infectious Diseases include Influenza, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Meningitis, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, to name a few.
For some infectious diseases, vaccinations have been developed and have helped to lower the frequency of outbreaks within America. Many of these vaccinations are required for public school attendance, such as Hepatitis, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, etc. Other vaccinations are suggested for international travelers. Information on international travel vaccination recommendations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm.
Infectious Diseases particularly significant to Arizona are HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Cocci (Valley Fever).1 Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is a disease caused by inhaling spores of two fungi, Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii There are estimated to be at least 50,000 new symptomatic cases nationwide per year, and two-thirds are believed to be in Arizona. 2 Tuberculosis was once the leading cause of death in America. Caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it is a disease of the lungs, but can spread to other parts of the body. When not treated correctly, it can be fatal. While Tuberculosis is not as prevalent as it once was, more than 14,000 cases were reported in the US in 2005.3 In 2004, Arizona reported the 14th highest rate of Tuberculosis cases in the US.4 HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It is transferred through shared bodily fluids such as blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.5 AIDS is a disease that weakens the immune system leading to varying disease characterizations such as infections, cancer, and a weakened immune system.6 776 new cases of HIV/AIDS were diagnosed in Arizona in 2005. The 2005 Arizona incidence rate for the disease was 12.8/100,000 people.7 More information can be found at the following focus pages: Valley Fever and AIDS.
2 Climate and Health: Basic Science and Decision Support for Valley Fever by Andrew Comrie, UA, Dept. of Geography & Regional Development and Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences (comrie@arizona.edu)
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