Thanks to the pandemic, people have become more aware of infectious diseases, but it never hurts to get a refresher on the subject. There are many aspects to know, such as how they spread and what you can do to stop them. That’s why we’ve brought you our list of the most common spreadable diseases.
Table of Contents
COVID-19
We might as well get this one out of the way. Everyone already knows about COVID-19, but there are quite a few new variants you need to be aware of, even if you’re already vaccinated. The known ones at the moment are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. The last one is the newest and has the most fear surrounding it, but all of these can spread more easily than the original strain. This is why masks and social distancing are still recommended for the time being, although they’re no longer being enforced in many areas. Sterilization in hospitals is as vital as ever if we want to curb the spread as efficiently as possible.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Although it’s rare in the States, TB isn’t impossible to catch. It’s very contagious due to the fact that it’s passed through coughing, sneezing, or talking. Fortunately, medicine that prevents the infection from getting worse is available. If you think you have TB, make sure you see a doctor, since leaving it untreated can lead to irreparable lung damage or death.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
We’re sure all of you remember hearing about the horrors of STIs back in school, but we just wanted to put out this reminder, since they’re still some of the most common spreadable diseases in the United States. We don’t want to get too graphic with it—you all know what they entail. All we want to say is that you should use protection and seek help immediately if you think you might have caught something.
Norovirus
More commonly known as food poisoning or the stomach flu, norovirus is a nasty disease that results in stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Luckily, it’s hard to pass to other people unless they come into contact with your stool or vomit, but it’s easy to get from dirty restaurants. Unfortunately, bad hygiene can happen in any restaurant, so the only thing you can do about it is to make sure you wash your own hands thoroughly.
